Racial abuse and physical threats are just some of the abuse road workers in Suffolk are facing
National highways are introducing new measures to try and prevent such behaviour
Suffolk Highways, says its employees who keep the roads in order have seen an increase in the amount of physical and verbal abuse whilst doing their jobs.
Research shows 60% of all roadworkers and other people working on the public highway get abused daily.
As a result, National Highways are introducing measures as part of their Stamp It Out campaign to remind the public that poor behaviour can end with the police. This includes new signs and body cameras for employees.
National Highways also released a statement on the matter.
"We have recently noticed an increase in the amount of abuse being received by operatives working for Suffolk Highways.
"Please remember that these operatives are human. They do not deserve to be shouted and sworn at, however frustrated you may be about our works or the delays these may cause to your journey.
"Working on the highway in all weathers can be challenging enough and our people should not have to go home feeling upset for only trying to do their job.
"There is #NoExcuseForAbuse and our new signs on site provide a reminder that this will not be tolerated and will be reported to the police. #Suffolk See less."
Here in Suffolk
We spoke to Paul West, the cabinet member for operational highways at Suffolk County Council.
He wanted to remind the public that the work is being carried out for everyone's benefit despite the short-term inconvenience.
"It is a human being that deserves to be treated with respect and so it's just a reminder that there's a person behind the high vis.. that people feel that they're able to shout at or have a go at."
Paul also gave us some examples of the kind of abuse employees have been facing.
" A worker has been racially abused on site.
"(we've had) another one where somebody was threatened with a stick that somebody picked up in the street because that particular member of the public, perceived that they were being inconvenienced.
"We were carrying out some vegetation work on the A12, which meant that part of the road had to be closed for the safety of the workforce and that received quite a high level of abuse towards those carrying out the work that the team on site almost had to pull out and give up because it was so bad on that occasion."
Paul is asking the public to treat other people as they would hope, other people treat their own families, with kindness and compassion.