While the arrival of warmer weather brings afternoon strolls in the park and weekends on the water, it also brings some additional frustrations – most notably with traffic delays caused by roadwork in parts of Saanich and across the Capital Region.
Across southern Vancouver Island work is already underway in a number of spots – daily commuters have likely encountered more than a few construction-related delays – which, in turn, slows traffic, often to a crawl, and occasionally at peak times.
Feelings of frustration are understandable – sitting in a hot vehicle and inching along at a snail’s pace to one’s destination is on par with going to the dentist in terms of the fun factor. But road work is a necessity. Not only that, but taking out one’s frustrations on individuals doing traffic control – a job that at times is riskier than it should be – is a childish way to vent.
It is disturbing to witness motorists race through a construction zone, oblivious to the signs – and the people holding them – requiring them to slow down. Not only are they breaking the law, they’re risking the lives and livelihoods of workers simply trying to do their jobs.
And that risk is real. According to WorkSafeBC, there were 15 roadside workers killed between 2007 and 2016. Another 229 workers were injured after being struck by a vehicle. Last year, one person was killed and 21 were injured and missed time from work.
It’s not just construction workers. Firefighters, police and tow truck drivers are at risk every time they step out of their vehicle and onto the street by people too dense to understand the implication of their actions.
Frustration on city streets is nothing new. But the seconds saved by ignoring traffic control personnel can’t be compared to death or injury that impatience might cause.
Road construction is a fact of life in the summer. We’ll no doubt be experiencing multiple delays as crews repair damage, or replace underground infrastructure. But building in extra time, choosing alternate routes, or simply taking a deep breath and waiting will help ease that frustration.
It might even save a life.