The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) and the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard will develop during this week in Galicia a special campaign to control the sections in works of interurban roads. This campaign aims to ensure compliance with the preventive signage that is installed when work is carried out on the roadway, since the DGT warns that it is repeatedly breached.
From Traffic they emphasize that following these indications is essential to guarantee the safety of all users of the road, especially the people who work in the works, by avoiding risky behaviors in these sections.
From this Monday and until Sunday 9, the agents of the Traffic Group of the Civil Guard will have a special presence on the interurban road sections in works of Galicia where they will be extremely vigilant of:
· Respect for extraordinary signage on the roads for carrying out works.
· Attention and caution during these sections in works.
· The reduction of speed by obligation and by prudence.
· Increasing the safety distance.
Hazards in construction zones
The main risk behaviours in the construction areas are:
- Excessive and inadequate speed: the performance of road maintenance tasks makes it necessary to find people on foot in a situation very different from that provided for in the rules of road traffic.
On the other hand, the characteristics of the track are not the same either, so keeping in the affected sections the speed corresponding to the generic or a specific previous limitation can pose a significant risk both for the drivers and, of course, for the operators who are working, and which in some cases may not be immediately visible at the wheel.
The scientific evidence is conclusive: at a certain speed, the severity of the damage inflicted on the pedestrian is fatal 100% of the cases:
• From a speed of 30 km/h the damage inflicted on the pedestrian is important.
• From a speed of 40 km/h the damage is fatal in 45% of cases.
• From a speed of 64 km/h the damage is fatal in 85% of cases.
• From a speed of 90 km/h the survival of the pedestrian is almost nil.
- Distractions: Along with speed, the atrocities of maintenance workers in sections of conservation works are linked to those directly to distractions, which are the first cause of fatal and serious accidents in Lugo and Spain.
On the stretches of road on which works are carried out, the normal circulation regime is altered by changing the physiognomy of the infrastructure, resulting in changing and unknown environmental conditions for drivers. This highlights even more the importance of maintaining full attention.
- Overtaking: it is always a dangerous manoeuvre, so maximum attention must be paid to the environment and all safety measures must be taken before being carried out to avoid flying and accidents, and always respecting the signage.
Victims in construction areas
According to data from the National Registry of Traffic Accident Victims, in the year 2022 there were a total of 172 traffic accidents related to the work of maintenance and conservation works on the roads, of which 22 accidents involved workers who worked or walked on the road or in its surroundings (pedestrians). The other 150 traffic accidents at the construction sites involved maintenance and maintenance workers in their vehicles.
The signage of works in the Spanish Road Safety Strategy
The Spanish Road Safety Strategy 2030 identifies safe roads as a strategic area, in line with the approach of the integrated safe system, and assumes among its lines of action in this field to enhance design solutions, enhance infrastructure safety management procedures and safe, sustainable and intelligent traffic management.
In particular, it is highlighted as a relevant action to anticipate the warnings in real time of the proximity of works in execution in order to adapt the driving to such circumstances and to anticipate the presence of special signage.