Real people. Real lives. Real danger.
Keeping roadworkers safe
Roadworkers play an essential role in maintaining and improving Scotland’s trunk road and motorway network. While carrying out this work, they often operate close to live traffic and rely on road users following traffic management measures to keep everyone safe.
Traffic Scotland has launched this roadworker safety campaign in response to an increase in vehicles entering live roadworks. These incidents are happening regularly and create a serious risk to roadworkers, drivers and passengers.
Abusive behaviour towards roadworkers
More drivers are ignoring red lights, temporary signage and traffic management at roadworks, leading to vehicles entering closed work areas.
This behaviour is often driven by impatience -result in drivers rushing through red lights, bypassing cones or driving into areas that are clearly closed. Even one vehicle entering a worksite can cause a serious or life-changing incident in seconds.
Why follow the signs
When a vehicle enters a live work area:
- Roadworkers have little or no protection
- There is very limited time to react
- A near miss can easily become a serious injury or fatality
These close calls don’t end when the shift finishes. They stay with workers long after they leave work. Their families feel the impact too.
Amey’s north east Scotland Account Director, Tom Wallace, said:
“Red lights and other traffic control measures are important in ensuring the safety of our roadworkers and road users.
“Those who continue to avoid guidance and signage can cause incursions which pose a great risk to our operatives, other road users and themselves.
“We need all road users to be mindful of the importance of traffic management to keep people safe, to be respectful of our employees working on the trunk roads and understand that they are maintaining the network to keep us all safe.”
What drivers can do to help
Keeping roadworkers safe is something we all share responsibility for. You can help by:
- Following all temporary road signs and traffic management
- Obeying red lights and temporary speed limits
- Planning your journey to allow for roadworks
- Being patient and respectful toward roadworkers and other road users
A short delay is frustrating, but it is never worth risking a life.
There are consequences for unsafe driving
Ignoring traffic management at roadworks is dangerous and illegal. Drivers who do so face:
- Fines of up to £2,500
- Penalty points on their licence
- Possible driving disqualification
Our partners are also increasing monitoring at roadworks to help deter unsafe behaviour and protect workers.
A shared responsibility
Roadworks exist to maintain and improve the network by keeping roads safe for everyone who uses them. The people working there deserve the same care and consideration they give to road users every day.
By slowing down, following the signs and showing patience, you can help make sure everyone, drivers and roadworkers alike, gets home safely.
Plan ahead and leave extra time for potential delays. How to get the latest travel and traffic information:
Visit our homepage and use the map and its route checker to view any live and future disruptions that may impact your journey. You can check here for roadworks and here for planned roadworks.
Listen to Traffic Scotland Radio for the latest national and regional traffic and travel updates.
Follow us on X @trafficscotland for real-time updates on the Trunk Road Network.
For further information on policies and measures to tackle abusive behaviour towards roadworkers, visit the Transport Scotland website section on Protect Our Workforce.