Road construction safety campaign tells drivers "Don't RIP through construction zones"

The welcomed rise in temperatures means summer is coming. It also means seasonal construction and improvements to many of Alberta’s roads are starting. Partners in Road Construction Safety (PIRCS) launched its annual campaign to encourage motorists to obey traffic laws, slow down and not “RIP” through construction zones.

At an event at Olympic Plaza, Mayor Nenshi joined many construction safety partners to unveil the symbol motorists should look for as a reminder to slow down.

“Calgary is proud to participate in an initiative that is dedicated to improving road safety in both our city and across the province,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Something as simple as reducing your speed through a construction zone, may mean another safe day on the job for someone.”

At an event earlier this week at the Alberta Legislature, Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation, helped to officially launch the Alberta-wide campaign.

“The Alberta government is proud to be a majority sponsor of the Partners in Road Construction Safety initiative that works to keep construction workers, motorists and their passengers safe on our roads during construction season and throughout the year,” said Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation. “Construction zones are short-term inconveniences that provide long-term benefits for Albertans as we build and maintain the important transportation infrastructure that helps Alberta thrive.”

With more than 1,000 collisions in construction or maintenance zones in 2011, PIRCS’ 2013 campaign also hopes to reduce incidents by encouraging Albertans to be more proactive about their route planning by paying attention to construction updates online, or by calling 511 Alberta before they head out on the road.

“Our goal is to keep workers and motorists safe,” said Heidi Harris-Jensen, Chair of Partners in Road Construction Safety. “For the safety of road and utility workers and motorists, we ask drivers to slow down, respect the law, and watch for workers or equipment, as well as other hazards that could be on the road.”

The PIRCS website features road construction locations, safety tips and details of the initiative. Since its creation, PIRCS has spent approximately $3.5 million to promote construction zone safety through radio and television advertising, billboards and signage in construction zones, featuring the well-known “Don’t RIP Through Construction Zones” slogan. This is an important investment, considering the province’s population has increased by more than 700,000 people since the campaign began 11 years ago.

The www.dont-rip.ca website will also be a destination for information to help motorists plan alternative routes and learn more about this year’s campaign and road safety statistics.

Earlier this week, Minister McIver announced the province has finalized the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan 2015, developed in cooperation with provincial traffic safety partners. This new plan, and the actions it contains, builds on the success of Canada’s first-ever traffic safety plan, released by the province in 2007. Through coordinated actions, traffic fatalities have been reduced by 32 per cent, and serious injury motor vehicle collisions have declined 18 per cent.

The Partners in Road Construction Safety was formed in 2003 to reduce collisions in road construction zones and improve driver attitudes towards road and utility workers.

PIRCS partners include Alberta Transportation, the Alberta Construction Safety Association, the City of Edmonton, the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, City of St. Albert, Strathcona County, EPCOR, Edmonton Police Service, City of Calgary, 511 Alberta and WorkSafe Alberta - an Alberta Human Services initiative.

Up-to-date road reports, including information on construction zones traffic delays, is a click or a call away. Call 5-1-1 toll-free, visit 511.alberta.ca, or follow on Twitter @511Alberta to get on the road to safer travel.

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