Drivers are putting themselves and workers in construction zones at risk because of excessive speeds.
According to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, there seem to be more complaints this year about drivers ignoring posted signs and failing to reduce speeds in construction zones along the Trans-Labrador Highway between Wabush and Churchill Falls.
"The reports we've been getting-from people working in construction zones-is that vehicles aren't slowing down and there's proper signage on, but people aren't obeying the signs," said Constable Bill Fitzgerald.
"The fact is that you have people in the middle of the road to direct the traffic, you have heavy equipment that could be coming onto the road from the side, and the road wouldn't be safe to drive at a regular speed because there's construction on it," he explained.
Driving too fast comes with real risks, he went on to say, like not being able to stop in time, encountering heavy equipment on a turn, flicking gravel and raising dust which may reduce visibility, and encountering changes in highway conditions at any time.
"The Highway Traffic Act states that you're supposed to obey the posted speeds and in constructions zones, that you have to slow down," he explained. "The thing is, if you're given a ticket in the construction zone, then the fine can double, so it can be anywhere from $100-$1,500."
Cst. Fitzgerald said officers have clocked people at 150 kmph, which he finds unbelievable, and added that most vehicle collisions are the result of speed and inattention.
The RNC in Labrador City as well as from Churchill Falls, he added, are out there with radars patrolling the Trans-Labrador Highway and taking action against anyone who violates the law.
"We have a wide area to police," he said, "But we are making a conscious effort to get to these areas, be visible, and take actions when warranted."
He is asking the public to be aware of their surroundings while driving, pay attention to the road, and reduce speeds in order to make it safe for everyone involved.
Slow it down!
RNC Constable Bill Fitzgerald said that this year they've gotten a lot of complaints about drivers speeding through construction zones along the Trans-Labrador Highway.
- Published on June 28th, 2010
- Published on July 14th, 2010
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Svjetlana (Lana) Vrbanic
Trans-Labrador Highway fraught with dangerous drivers
Drivers are putting themselves and workers in construction zones at risk because of excessive speeds.
According to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, there seem to be more complaints this year about drivers ignoring posted signs and failing to reduce speeds in construction zones along the Trans-Labrador Highway between Wabush and Churchill Falls.
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- Lakeside Resident
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:25
yes people need to slow it down, but I do believe that the RNC should be doing more in town for the speeding, I know on lakeside each time it rains a puddle gathers in the streed and when drivers come around the turn and see the water they speed up even more, there are children playing in the neighbourhood....maybe park in some driveways and catch the speeders!!!
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- Resdient
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:10
A few stiff fines, the word will get around....also bring your breathalizer Along too......most of them won't have a licence after blowing it coming back from Ash River.
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