59% of Motorists Admit to Driving Dangerously Through Roadworks

New research, conducted on behalf of highways maintenance and management company, Amey, reveals a majority of UK road users admit to driving in ways that put themselves, roadworkers and other road users at risk of injury or death.

59% of road users who took part in the research acknowledge that they are not as safety-conscious as they should be when negotiating roadworks, while 74% admit to exceeding speed limits set to protect those working at these sites.

The survey found drivers admitting to speeding (37%), not giving their full concentration (24%), not maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles (19%) and not paying any attention to road workers (14%).

The Amey research data shows that younger drivers are more likely to flout road safety laws; for example, 82% of 17 to 24-year olds admit to breaking speed limits in 50mph controlled zones, while a further 8% say they go over 65mph.

However, the overall majority of those questioned (87%) also acknowledge that being a road worker in the UK is a dangerous occupation.

Amey employees work on both local and main roads up down the country and have experienced first-hand the impact of reckless driving. Since 2017 over 210 incidents were reported and the number of accidental incursions (where drivers accidentally enter roadworks) for the same period reaching close to 5,500.

James Haluch, Managing Director for Highways at Amey, said: “It’s extremely concerning that so many drivers appear to be wilfully ignoring safety advice, and driving without due care through roadworks; especially when they acknowledge that working on our roads is a very dangerous job.

“I am only too aware of the suffering of those who are injured, or killed, while simply doing their job. In many cases, even if the physical injuries heal, the trauma remains in some form, changing their lives and that of their families forever.

“This research illustrates that road users need to reflect on their behaviour when driving through roadworks to consider the impact on road workers across the UK. I appreciate this is a significant challenge and may take years to achieve, but we need to keep the conversation going to make changes - our people have the right to return home to friends and family safe and well at the end of the day.”

Chief Executive for Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA), George Lee, added: “I welcome this research commissioned by Amey, which shows the disregard that many motorists have to those working on our roads. We know that Britain’s roads are some of the busiest in the world.  In terms of overall road safety, current national figures show casualties are at their lowest level for over 40 years – however overall injuries to the 4,000 road workers on the network has risen.

“The research Amey has carried out highlights the problem of driver behaviour and their attitudes to road workers, that is increasing in its form and severity. Highways services people are dealing with danger on a daily basis but to then have to contend with the public whom they are working to keep safe is hugely disconcerting.

“At HTMA, through our Health, Safety & Wellbeing Group, we’ve pushed for many years to raise awareness with the general population and the authorities, of the threats to the roads workforce and to tackle road works incursions and abuse. I hope that by continuing to highlight the danger, through the likes of this public research that Amey has commissioned, a change in motorists’ behaviour will be brought about.”

Mr Haluch continued: “In addition to raising awareness of these dangers, we also must consider new and innovative ways of tackling these problems too, working collaboratively with Highways England, Transport Scotland, other industries and local authorities across the UK to achieve this. Last year, I introduced our Vision 2030 strategy which seeks to address building a safer environment for road workers and road users.”

Vision 2030 was developed to address road worker and road user safety, as part of a comprehensive programme to boost productivity, increase technological innovation, improve efficiency and promote greater diversity across the UK highways industry.

The vision outlines the need to increase automation and digital technologies, supported by a broader range of skills, to help create a safer working environment for UK road workers and the travelling public. By working collaboratively with clients, supply chain and industry organisations, Vision 2030 is focused on developing industry-wide solutions that benefit all.

Key facts about Amey

Amey, with a turnover of £2.2bn, employs 20,000 people internationally with a focus on the UK, but with businesses in Australia and America.

Our aim is to make the world a better place to live, work and travel. Designing, building, maintaining and investing in the UK’s services and infrastructure in partnership with our clients.

This means keeping core services running smoothly across the country: utilities, transport, engineering, justice, defence, environmental and waste services, and facilities management. These are underpinned by our leading consulting and asset management capabilities, which allow us to offer standalone or integrated service solutions to a range of clients.

Amey is owned by Ferrovial. They are one of the world’s leading infrastructure management and investment companies. Ferrovial has more than 96,000 employees and a presence in over 15 countries. It is a member of Spain’s blue-chip IBEX 35 index and is also included in prestigious sustainability indices such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and FTSE4Good. Ferrovial’s activities focus on four business sectors: construction, airports, toll roads and services. Amey is part of the Services division.

Follow us on Twitter @Ameyplc or Facebook @AmeyPlc

Opinion Matters
The research for Amey was carried out online by Opinion Matters between 07/11/2018 and 12/11/2018 amongst a panel resulting in 2,015 UK drivers who use motorways at least five times a year. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection act (1998).

Regional Statistics

Northern Ireland
• 69% of British road users admit their safety consciousness could improve when going through roadworks
• 81% admit to going faster than the speed limit
• Main driver bad habits during roadworks include: speeding (48%), not concentrating 100% (21%), not keeping to a safe distance (23%) and not noticing road workers (21%)
• 81% of road users are aware that being a road worker across the UK is a dangerous job to take up

Scotland
• 61% of British road users admit their safety consciousness could improve when going through roadworks
• 77% admit to going faster than the speed limit
• Main driver bad habits during roadworks include: speeding (39%), not concentrating 100% (23%), not keeping to a safe distance (22%) and not noticing road workers (10%)
• 89% of road users are aware that being a road worker across the UK is a dangerous job to take up

South East
• 59% of British road users admit their safety consciousness could improve when going through roadworks
• 76% admit to going faster than the speed limit
• Main driver bad habits during roadworks include: speeding (41%), not concentrating 100% (26%), not keeping to a safe distance (19%) and not noticing road workers (12%)
• 85% of road users are aware that being a road worker across the UK is a dangerous job to take up

South West
• 53% of British road users admit their safety consciousness could improve when going through roadworks
• 80% admit to going faster than the speed limit
• Main driver bad habits during roadworks include: speeding (40%), not concentrating 100% (21%), not keeping to a safe distance (20%) and not noticing road workers (13%)
• 89% of road users are aware that being a road worker across the UK is a dangerous job to take up

North West
• 56% of British road users admit their safety consciousness could improve when going through roadworks
• 72% admit to going faster than the speed limit
• Main driver bad habits during roadworks include: speeding (41%), not concentrating 100% (26%), not keeping to a safe distance (25%) and not noticing road workers (12%)
• 87% of road users are aware that being a road worker across the UK is a dangerous job to take up