Little River lineman Drayton Wilson directs traffic at a roadside worksite. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive safely through work zones.
Reckless driving risks the lives of Little River’s road crews.
Every year, workers along the side of the road are injured or killed when a car crashes into them, even though the work site is marked with bright cones and warning signs.
There’s an easy way to reduce those incidents that harm first responders, road construction workers, and utility crews. Slow down and move over. It’s good advice to keep people safe. It is also the law in South Carolina and every other state.
In South Carolina, the law is clear. Work zones along roadways should be marked with cones, signage, barriers, and other appropriate traffic control devices such as speed limit reduction. Driving through these zones or exceeding the speed limit can result in fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment, the severity of which depends on whether there is bodily harm or a fatality.
Electric utility crews are especially at risk. The temporary nature of power line repairs can surprise motorists. A roadside construction project might close a lane for days or weeks, allowing time for people familiar with the area to anticipate the changed traffic pattern. Utility work, however, can start and finish in a few hours, possibly raising risks with drivers who might think they know the road ahead.
Protecting line crews is a top priority for Little River Electric Cooperative, and it’s a safety measure everyone can help with, says Josh Strickland, Loss Control, Risk Management Director.
“Our crews already perform dangerous work to keep the lights on every day,” says Strickland. “They deserve a work environment that’s as safe as possible. We encourage everyone to be aware of any crews working along our roadways and to drive through those zones safely.”
