Alberta proposed bill looks to increase safety for roadside workers
Posted Mar 16, 2022 7:09 pm.
Last Updated Mar 16, 2022 7:12 pm.
The Alberta Government is introducing a bill that should help protect roadside workers.
An amendment to the traffic safety act would require all motorists traveling in the same direction to slow down to at least 60 km/h when passing a stopped roadside worker vehicle with the lights flashing.
All roadside workers work in a high-risk environment and deserve the best protection so they can go home safely. Bill 5 will toughen rules to make Alberta highways safer. https://t.co/oGGqfYOjww #ableg pic.twitter.com/0NjE9gQyTG
— Rajan Sawhney (@RajanJSaw) March 16, 2022
Transportation minister Rajan Sawhney says this is not about trying to issue more tickets to people.
“There is no intention to create any type of situation that would result in a cash cow situation within the municipalities – this is entirely for safety by roadside workers. It was a request that was made by Albertans and our industry partners,” said Sawhney.
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She says construction workers have more tools to use to limit speed through signage and barriers. But this will protect maintenance workers, tow truck drivers, snowplow operators, and others
“Now other roadside workers don’t have those same protections. So these particular changes to the traffic safety act will ensure that they have the same protection others do working in emergency situations. It’s all about introducing more safety on the roads for everyone,” said Sawhney.
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The proposed changes would also require people to slow down if they are traveling the opposite direction on a single-lane highway and also force drivers to slow down when passing any roadside workers.
Sawhney says this proposed amendment comes after receiving survey responses from Albertans and people within the industry.
