The annual SAFE Roads campaign, a joint initiative to raise awareness of the safety of workers on Manitoba’s roads, kicked off today. The campaign is targeted at motorists across the province, reminding them to slow down when driving past road construction projects and when sharing the road with emergency workers such as firefighters, paramedics and police officers.
“For many Manitoban construction and emergency workers, our roads are their offices,” said Minister of Education Nancy Allan, on behalf of Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard. “As we head into the summer months, we need to respect their workplaces by slowing down and being aware of what’s going on in construction zones.”
The SAFE Roads media event kicked off at the site of the Disraeli overpass and Henry Avenue, a high traffic area that is undergoing reconstruction over the next several months. A media event was also planned for Brandon, but cancelled this year due to the flood emergency.
“City of Winnipeg workers are busy repairing our city’s infrastructure. Motorists need to be respectful and mindful of these workers,” says City of Winnipeg Mayor, Sam Katz. “Remember to pay attention and slow down when passing construction and emergency workers.”
“Building a culture of health and safety for all Manitobans is our priority,” says WCB President and CEO Doug Sexsmith. “The SAFE roads partnership is another avenue where safety and health awareness for construction, city and emergency workers ensures a safe work place for all Manitobans. Drive safely, and do your part to prevent a tragedy.”
The Highway Traffic Act supports the SAFE Roads campaign by setting additional penalties for failing to slow down in construction zones. Offenders caught speeding will have an additional five dollars added to the base fine for every kilometer recorded over the speed limit.
“Encouraging motorists to practice safety on our roadways takes all of us. We all have to remember to respect the roads and those who work there. Slow down and read the signs,” says Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, President and Chair, Chris Lorenc.
Initiated by the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, the SAFE Roads campaign is a joint effort between the following 14 partners:
* City of Winnipeg
* Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation
* Manitoba Heavy Construction Association
* Manitoba Floodway Authority
* Manitoba Hydro
* Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba
* City of Winnipeg Police
* City of Brandon Police
* Manitoba Government Employees Union
* Winnipeg Fire & Paramedic Service
* Construction Safety Association of Manitoba
* Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)
* CUPE Manitoba
* Winnipeg Public Works
The SAFE Roads Committee is a voluntary association of key stakeholders committed to educating motorists and the general public to respect SAFE driving policies to protect the safety of construction, utility and emergency services personnel and other who work kin or adjacent to the public right of way by driving safety and respectfully past these workers.