Road work contractors being threatened and abused is not ok, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
This message comes from the roading agency following news a worker was verbally abused and had their life threatened on Friday.
"Our main priority during roadworks is always to ensure the safety of all road users and all contractors working onsite," says a spokesperson for the roading agency.
"That's why Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is saddened to hear that a traffic controller was verbally abused and had their life threatened on Friday."
The temporary traffic controller was working on a State Highway 2 site at Ormond north of Gisborne.
'This behaviour is completely unacceptable and uncalled for; abuse of our crews is not acceptable and serious incidents will be reported to the police,” says Gisborne's regional maintenance and operations manager Jaclyn Hankin.
'We realise delays due to roadworks may be frustrating—but the speed restrictions and detours are in place to keep road users and our contractors safe. It also ensures we can get work done as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Friday's incident follows similar incidents further north last week as roading contractors worked to get flood-affected roads reopened.
'Temporary traffic management is in place for a reason, and contractors also understand the importance of getting roads reopened as quickly as possible, and temporary speed restrictions lifted.”
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
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- Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
6 comments
Abusing ANYBODY who is doing their job, is not OK...
Posted on 08-02-2023 12:33 | By morepork
Frustration levels are high and we all need to keep a lid on it. However statements like: "...It also ensures we can get work done as quickly and efficiently as possible.” tend to ring very hollow when we see NO shifts being worked, and "quickly" and "efficiently" are not words we associate with people leaning on a shovel or just chatting over tea. While the Victorian idea of a man with a "STOP/GO" sign may be quaint, it doesn't help the image of a modern, tech savvy, road working industry. Respect has to be earned; road workings have failed dismally to do that.
Yes but!
Posted on 08-02-2023 12:44 | By Justin T.
Abuse is definitely NOT condoneable. But when speed restrictions signs are left out and no-one is there, no surface is damaged and there is no reason other than lazy attitude to retrieving them after a shift; then it does not help your cause. Ever read the story about "The Boy Who Cried Wolf".
Receptionist
Posted on 08-02-2023 15:35 | By CliftonGuy
Abusing the workers at the road site is like abusing a receptionist at a company you have a gripe with. Take it to the top, but first find who the top dog is. Don't get diverted to some pen pusher who exhausts you with inane comments.
Motorists
Posted on 08-02-2023 18:00 | By my dog Sam eats purple flowers
Most motorists are usually tolerant of Stop/go setups...There are a few lunatics however that let the rest down badly . Such behaviour can influence whether a TC goes onto become an STMS . Maybe that is the persons first real job in a long time. Hopefully those abused dont let the odd bad apple put them off from going to work. The good motorists outnumber the bad by about 1000 to 1 'id say and its 1 in 10000 that are just plain rotten. Dont let that 1 get in your head...they are a very very miniscule minority.
Yep save the abuse for the Fab4
Posted on 03-04-2023 08:34 | By an_alias
Them fab 4 and council out of control is your actual cause. Save the abuse for those who are actually responsible
Over it too
Posted on 29-04-2023 14:39 | By jimmyant
Totally agree with 'Yes But'. Drivers get weary of seeing speed restrictions that are there for no good reason, not to mention the thousands of orange road cones that warn us of the obvious distant road works. I for one (and many others) ignore speed restrictions if I can see no reason for them. If there are workers present we have enough sense to slow down appropriately. The PC/Excessive safety thing has got to an absolutely ridiculous level when you see a speed restriction more than a kilometer or two before the hazard. People give up and speed up again. Drivers are able to reduce their speed within 100 - 150 meters!!! For heavens sake contractors - use some sense!!
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