Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council reminds motorists to obey traffic safety signs after an increase in the number of motorists ignoring road safety and road directional signage and on-site workers.
CGRC’s Interim General Manager, Mr Roger Bailey said the incidents around road worker safety and motorists ignoring road signage messages cause problems for all Councils and put employee’s safety at risk.
“Our teams are out on the region’s roads and streets every day; they are delivering a better road network for our communities. They are providing or repairing services that we all rely on. Often the road is their place of work, and they have every right to feel safe.
Roadwork signage is one part of providing a safe working environment and the expectation is that motorists obey that signage. However, recently we have seen incidents where employees have been put at risk due to motorists blatantly ignoring signage and traffic direction signage. As an employer Council is obligated to report such behaviour to police, penalty infringement notices can be issued by police to motorists who disobey roadworks signage,” Mr Bailey said.
CGRC Mayor Abb McAlister added his concern for workers safety.
“I’d like to remind motorists it’s against the law and disrespectful to those who are conducting vital work. Our staff are someone’s family member, they are working in dangerous conditions, and they have a right to expect all safety measures are taken whilst they carry out their duties. Even if you can’t see roadworkers they can still be on-site and I urge all motorists to slow down, be aware of your surroundings, and obey traffic signage and traffic directions when required to do so,” Cr McAlister said.
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A worrying increase in motorists ignoring Road Worker Safety Messages causes concern for Council. Disobeying these signs is an offence under the NSW Road Act 1993 and may result in a penalty infringement notice.
