2021 Cone Zone campaign serves as Safety reminder in aid of road side workers

City of Prince Rupert workers on the job last year
at McBride and First Avenue West

With the summer construction season about to go into high gear, work on roads and along the boulevards of the region will mean that safety remains the key element for all to remember as we transit through the worksite.

This week sees the launch of the annual Cone Zone Safety initiative, now in its 11th year, the program urges motorists to do our part to prevent injuries for those working around the community.

As a reminder of the dangers of roadwork in the province, it was noted this week that between 2011 and 2020, 12 roadside workers were killed and 207 were injured in B.C. 

Last year, 23 workers were injured because of being hit by a motor vehicle. 

The risks to roadside workers are more prevalent in the summer months as roadside work increases at this time of year and traffic levels typically rise. 

The campaign reminds drivers to slow down when approaching a Cone Zone and to pay attention to instructions from traffic control persons, temporary road signs, and traffic control devices.  

You can learn more about the Cone Zone program here , with notes as to how you can assist in ensuring that workers make it home at the end of day free of injury or worse.