Annual SAFE Roads program prompts people to protect workers

We are a proud partner on this important message

A man in a high visibility vest uses a drill on a road. A message on the left says, "They're not in your way, they're at work."
The annual SAFE Roads campaign launched today. We are a proud partner. Together we remind people to slow down around roadside workers.

As the weather warms, road maintenance and construction season is front and centre for Winnipeggers.

So, too, is our annual reminder to slow down around roadside and on-street workers.

“They’re not in your way, they’re at work,” said Ron Ireland, Public Works Department Safety Coordinator and the City’s representative on the provincial SAFE Roads committee.

“It’s so important that motorists slow down so they can work safely.”

SAFE Roads is a multidisciplinary committee that educates Manitobans on respectful and safe driving practices. The committee works to protect the safety of construction, utility, emergency services personnel, equipment operators and all those who work in or adjacent to our province's roadways.

We are a proud partner on the annual SAFE Roads campaign, which launched for 2024 today.

“Road construction and maintenance workers help keep our streets driveable and our city moving,” said Ireland. “Emergency services personnel literally keep us safe. We all have a part to play in ensuring they can keep doing their job, and – more importantly – keep going home safely to their families at the end of every shift.”

There were 240 transportation-related accidents within the Manitoba construction industry between 2018 and 2022, according to statistics from the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba.

"These roads are more than just a means to get from one place to another. These are workplaces for many Manitobans," said Dave Kramer, Vice President of WCB's SAFE Work Manitoba division.

"Speeding through a construction zone or ignoring traffic signs will not only cost you a ticket. It can also cost someone their livelihood, or even their life."

You can learn more about the annual campaign here.

Emergency and safety

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.