June 18,2025
RED FM News Desk
B.C.’s Work Zone Safety Campaign Urges Drivers to Stay Alert and Phone-Free in Roadside Work Areas
B.C.’s annual Work Zone Safety campaign is sending a clear message to drivers: Keep your head up and your phone down. The campaign aims to protect the tens of thousands of people in the province who work along roadsides. Between 2015 and 2024, nine roadside workers lost their lives and 276 were seriously injured and unable to work, according to WorkSafeBC. These workers include traffic controllers, emergency responders, utility and road maintenance crews, tow truck operators, landscapers, and others—all of whom face serious risks from passing vehicles, often just metres away. Roadside work zones are active and unpredictable. Distracted or speeding drivers endanger everyone, including themselves and their passengers.
Under B.C. law, drivers must:
- Slow down and drive with care, staying at or below the posted speed limit.
- Stay alert and avoid using mobile phones.
- Follow all directions from traffic signs and personnel.
Drivers are also required to follow the Slow Down, Move Over law. When approaching vehicles with flashing red, blue, white, or amber lights, drivers must slow down and move into the left lane if it’s safe to do so. Failing to comply can lead to fines of up to $368. To help ensure safety, the campaign encourages drivers to avoid roadside work zones when possible by checking traffic updates and planning alternate routes. If you see signs like orange cones, flashing lights, or workers in reflective clothing, remember: this is someone’s workplace.
Employers must provide proper training and supervision for roadside workers. The Work Zone Safety campaign offers free resources—such as checklists and safety meeting guides—to support these efforts.
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