From speeding drivers to violent crime, N.L. construction workers say they've seen it all

Several construction industry associations in Newfoundland and Labrador are banding together in these busy months to launch a safety campaign aimed at making drivers aware of dangerous behaviours.

The campaign is called "Cones Out?" and the goal is for drivers to take traffic cones as visual cues that workers — people with friends and families — are nearby.

"We're asking [drivers] to slow down," said Cherie Whelan, CEO of the provincial Construction Safety Association, one of the groups involved in the campaign.

"We're asking you to keep your heads up to make sure that you're not distracted while you're driving. Be respectful, right? Because we're hearing some horror stories around how some of these people are being treated."

The campaign has four key messages — slow down, move over, heads up and be respectful.

Paddy Murphy, general manager at Hi Vis Traffic Control, said his company has seen it all while working on infrastructure around the province.

"From a physical assault where we had to subdue someone to having the police involved. As of recent, we were in an area where an active shooter happened to pass through. So we deal with it all," Murphy said. 

"You know, the coffees, the cigarettes, the verbal abuse, people passing in high speeds within inches of us."

During the campaign launch this week, somebody cracked a joke about Murphy's name and the famous Great Big Sea song, to which another person responded: "This is about keeping Paddy Murphy alive!"

The organizations involved — including the Heavy Civil Association, Construction Safety Association and the provincial government — are sharing resources on their social media pages, including safety information and driving tips such as how to zipper merge.

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