Ministry of Highways reminds drivers to slow down in construction zones

Construction season is underway on Saskatchewan’s highways, and the provincial government is asking everyone to do their part in order to keep drivers and workers safe.

This year, the Ministry of Highways is aiming to improve more than 1,100 kilometres of roadways around the province. Lori Carr, Saskatchewan’s highways minister, reminded drivers to slow to 60 and follow the direction of flaggers or signage whenever passing construction on the highway.

“As this construction season kicks off, it is an important reminder that we all need to do our part and drive safe,” Carr said in a statement.

“Please be alert and slow down to ensure everyone working to improve our highways gets home safely each and every day.”

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Work zones can include temporary speed reductions even when workers aren’t present, the ministry noted, in order to protect drivers from potential hazards like sharp drop-offs, closed lanes or loose gravel.

Mike Layden, a heavy equipment operator, shared a personal story about a close call with an unsafe driver.

In the early years of his career, Layden said he was working on a seal coat job on the Highway 2 south of Assiniboia. While working as the flagger, he said he saw a vehicle quickly approaching the crew’s position and refusing to slow down.

“At this point, I have to make a conscious decision. Am I going to stand on the highway in the hopes the person responds, or do I head for the ditch and take care of myself?” he said.

“I have no shame in saying that I ran into the ditch. I got off that highway to protect myself,” Layden added.

“While in the ditch, I radioed ahead to let the other operators know what was going on. We were lucky that day, and fortunately enough, the only reason why we were stopping the vehicle was because we had open oil on the highway and we didn’t want the vehicle to proceed over the open oil. It was more of a courtesy thing for them.”

He’s now urging drivers to follow the rules and obey flaggers when approaching construction zones.

“I ask on behalf of every single person that’s working on the highway, their family, and every motorist that you pass. Slow down, guys. Watch what’s going on. Please – we all have families,” said Layden.

The province said a new ad campaign will soon launch, with the slogan “Steer Them to Safety,” encouraging drivers to slow down in work areas.

Construction zones and road closures are marked on the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline, the ministry added, which includes a tool allowing drivers to plan their routes.