Work Zone Safety

A Critical Reminder for Commercial Drivers and Fleet Managers

For commercial drivers, work zones are part of the job. From highway construction and utility work to towing, maintenance, and roadside response, these environments can change quickly and create serious risk for both workers and the drivers moving through them. That is why Road Safety at Work’s work zone safety information is such a useful resource for employers, fleet managers, and professional drivers alike. These tools are practical, accessible, and highly relevant for fleets looking to strengthen safe driving habits and reinforce expectations around roadside hazards.

A good place to start is Road Safety at Work’s Work Zone Safety – For Drivers resource. It outlines what drivers need to know when approaching and moving through work zones, including legal responsibilities, recognizing signs and traffic control devices, and safe-driving practices such as planning ahead, merging courteously, expecting sudden changes, reducing speed, and staying alert even when workers are not immediately visible. It also includes specific guidance for commercial drivers, noting that large blind spots, long stopping distances, and narrow lanes can make work zones especially challenging for trucks and buses.

Road Safety at Work also reinforces an important point for professional drivers: work zones are not always obvious, and they are not always active in the same way from one day to the next. A work zone may be fixed or mobile, may involve cones and barriers or only flashing lights, and can extend from the first traffic control device to the last. Drivers are responsible for obeying instructions throughout the entire zone and giving roadside workers the space they need to do their jobs safely.

For fleet managers, supervisors, and employers, Road Safety at Work also offers Work Zone Safety – For Employers and Supervisors. This resource focuses on employer, supervisor, and prime contractor responsibilities and is a useful reference for anyone developing procedures, training content, or internal conversations around work zone driving. It is especially helpful for organizations looking to reinforce that work zone safety is not just a driver issue, but part of a broader approach to road safety management.

And that message matters. According to Road Safety at Work (citing WorkSafeBC statistics), 9 roadside workers in BC were hit by a vehicle and killed between 2015 and 2024, and 267 others were seriously injured enough to miss work. Drivers and passengers were also hurt. Those numbers are a stark reminder that how a vehicle is driven through a work zone can have life-changing consequences.

There are also important legal responsibilities to keep in mind. Road Safety at Work notes that drivers in BC work zones must drive with care at or below the posted speed limit, obey signs and traffic control devices, and follow the instructions of traffic control people. The page also highlights BC’s Slow Down, Move Over law, which applies when approaching stopped vehicles displaying red, blue, or amber flashing lights, including tow trucks, pilot cars, snow removal equipment, and enforcement or emergency vehicles.

These resources offer a solid starting point for conversations about slowing down, following instructions, watching for lane changes and closures, and recognizing that every roadside worker deserves to get home safely at the end of the day. For more information, visit Road Safety At Work’s website at RoadSafetyAtWork.ca.