The Island Roads Safety Group has recorded 61 incidents in the 3 months since it was established to encourage motorists to respect roadworkers and comply with temporary traffic management measures.
The group was formed following a rise in reports of roadworker abuse and because motorists continue to ignore temporary road closures, putting themselves and highway workers at risk.
The group’s members include representatives of the IW Council, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, the Hampshire and IW Police and Crime Commissioner and Island Roads. The partnership, suggested by Hampshire and IW Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, aims to ensure appropriate legal action is taken against motorists ignoring road closures or abusing roadworkers.
Since March, 14 incidents have been reported to police and, so far, action ranging from warning letters being issued to prosecution has been taken. The vast majority of reports are of vehicles breaching road closures, while there has been one report of harassment of call centre staff and another involving a public figure actively encouraging people to ‘sneak around’ road closures.
Even during the recent Walk the Wight, Island Roads staff witnessed drivers ignoring temporary traffic measures including driving through a ‘No Entry’ sign and entering a closed road, putting walkers and volunteers at risk.
Michelle Love, IW Council Service Director for Highways and Community Protection, said:
“Though the vast majority of road users do the right thing, the fact that 61 incidents have been recorded in just three months highlights the extent of the issue we face.
“Temporary road closures are put in place for public safety and are legally enforceable. It is dangerous and against the law to ignore them, and the council will continue to play its part in supporting the work of the Island Roads Safety Group.”
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Island Roads Service Director Steve Ashman said:
“Our workers do not deserve to be abused, and they should not be put in danger by people ignoring road closures that are there to keep everyone safe.
“We were pleased that the council, police and crime commissioner all readily agreed to work with us to tackle roadworker abuse and to encourage motorists to obey temporary road closures.
“As a result of the Island Roads Safety Group, we have improved the way we record incidents to give the police what they need to take appropriate further action. While roadworker abuse remains a problem, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure we do all we can to bring those responsible to task.”
Superintendent Marcus Cator, Area Commander for the Isle of Wight, said:
“Whilst delays to a journey can be frustrating, we encourage road users to be patient and remember that nobody should feel unsafe or threatened when they are simply doing their job.
“Island Roads staff are carrying out essential works across the Island, and we remain committed to ensuring behaviour that threatens their safety, and the safety of other road users around these areas, is tackled effectively. The Island should be a safe place to live, visit, and of course work for everybody in our community.”
Hampshire and IW Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said:
“The continued behaviour directed at Island Roads staff remains a huge concern.
“Harassment and abuse in any form is unacceptable, and nobody should have to face it while doing their job. I am proud to support this partnership, which aims to address this issue and safeguard frontline workers delivering vital services to our communities.”
Island Roads is increasingly using mobile CCTV and body-worn cameras to help gather evidence and is also embarking on a review of its signage to make sure it is as clear as possible. It is also keen to point out that as well as breaking the law and causing a safety risk, driving through temporary road closures can invalidate insurance claims.
Maybe if Island Roads did NOT put out “Road Closed” signs when it is not.
Maybe if IR gave SPECIFIC advance notices of closures and not just on an ad hoc basis.
Maybe if IR “workers” got on with it instead of standing talking on mobiles.
Maybe if IR |District Stewards” could be seen to be ACTUALLY doing some work, instead off riding around in their vans, hiding away in uninhabited areas having their nammet.
But then that is just a dream.
MAYBE if you weren’t so ignorant…….
MAYBE there is a difference between ROAD CLOSED and ROAD AHEAD CLOSED and people like you can’t read.
MAYBE all road closures weren’t by Island Roads and that most were actually done by utility providers such as Southern Water, Southern Gas, Southern Electric and Wight Fibre – all those little life luxuries that we take for granted. These works are usually EMERGENCY CLOSURES for all people (old and vulnerable included) who rely on them! Read the Isle of Wight Observer article.
MAYBE the millisecond you drove or walked past and saw ‘workers’ on their phone, they have experienced a problem and have called their supervisor or on a human aspect are taking a personal phone call about a personal issue at home (they are human beings after all and not AI robots after all).
MAYBE you don’t follow the District Steward around all day, and see what their job entails before making an assumption ‘THEY HIDE AWAY’.
MAYBE stop sleeping and dreaming and live in the real world? Just a thought!
I have been saying it for years
THERE IS NO LAW AND ORDER ON THE ISLAND
this is the proof in the pudding.
No ones give a fcuk about signs, the only way to
STOP the B’stards is to install Camera’s and send
Heavy fine to their address
ALSO JUST LIKE SPEEDING FINES WHY NOT ISSUE
POINTS ON DRIVING LICENCES FOR SUCH CRIMES.
We need to bet tough with inconsiderate selfish B’stards
That is another reason why we need Khan like RULES
THE ISLAND IS A SOFT TOUCH WITH RULES
Island roads are an incredibly incompetent outfit, especially where their road signage is concerned,and the reason many people ignore road closed signs, is because very often the road isn’t closed – just some closed signs, with no works actually taking place, or very vague information about where the actual closure is.
Hardly surprising this , unfortunately there are some real idiots on our roads
Rather than spending the money on a road safety group how about spending it on eliminating the cause of the frustration and abuse with better planning and communication.
Respect is a two way street.
Can’t imagine why………!!
I agree workers should not be abused but perhaps it would help a lot if there were not so many road sets of works and diversions all going on at the same time people are fed up with them and the extra time and fuel cost to complete a journey.