Lives at work

Publication date: 04 October 2007

Motorway workzones leave motorists and contractors exposed to unnecessary risks

A recent series of tragic accidents on motorway workzones – the latest of which cost seven lives in August 2007 – are a grim reminder that, unless adequately treated, improvement and repair works can become hazards for drivers and workers. A recent pan-European survey carried out by the Eurotest platform of the motoring clubs has confirmed that workzones are unequally managed in Europe and require structural improvements to be made safer.

Today, three stakeholder organisations, the European Asphalt Pavement Association (EAPA), the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the European Union Road Federation (IRF – Brussels Programme Centre) are issuing a joint call for workzone safety to be given far greater recognition at European level. 

Road users, as well as the stakeholders involved in road conservation work have part of the answer and must be made aware of the need to reduce risks to the greatest extent possible. Safety should not only be a reason for concern from a merely legal or economic point of view but is also a serious moral obligation. Beyond this, a number of additional measures offering evident safety potential are in the hands of transport policy-makers and public authorities:

• A coordinated and vigorous effort is needed by the public administrations in charge of transport and social affairs to collect and report on workzone accident trends,
• Existing workzone guidelines need to be adapted to the state of the art in good practices and make the most of remedial measures known for their cost-effectiveness,
• Authorities must be encouraged to plan road works long ahead in order to minimise inconveniences to the travelling public and enable contractors to implement safety schemes,
• The European Commission and appropriate UN bodies must work together on campaigns, legislation and technical standards that recognise the increased driving risks cause by road works.  

Signatories:

FIA - Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile

ERF - European Union Road Federation

EAPA - European Asphalt Pavement Association

To download the PDF document please click here.

pr_workzone.pdf (62 KB)

Further reading:

“Safety on Motorway Workzones”, an IRF Discussion Paper, available from http://www.irfnet.eu/
2007 Eurotest Workzone campaign results available from http://www.eurotestmobility.com/eurotest.php?itemno=220