New road safety campaign launches in Cumberland
It's to improve safety measures during road closures and road works
In a new initiative to improve safety measures during road closures and road works and to help raise awareness, Cumberland Council is launching a new Road Safety Campaign across the region.
The aim of this campaign is to address safety concerns raised by the council’s staff, whilst deterring the public from driving at speed through road works or attempting to go through road closures while works are ongoing.
Comprising a three-pronged approach, the campaign will feature:
Prominent Signs: These large signage boards will display images of Cumberland’s dedicated Highway teams along with their actual children. It is to emphasise the importance of road safety and urges road users to exercise caution as they drive through road works.
Bodycams: Some team members will be equipped with bodycams capable of recording any breaches of traffic management, as well as any instances of abuse directed towards the Highways teams.
Surveillance Technology: Signage cameras and mobile CCTV units will be strategically placed to monitor and record any instances of vehicles breaching traffic management, this includes road users who ignore red lights.
In the event of anyone violating traffic management or being abusive towards council staff, images and captured footage will be promptly handed over to the police to consider prosecution.
Cumberland Councillor Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places said;
“Each day, our Highways teams carry out their duties with utmost dedication and professionalism. Unfortunately, some members of the public challenge road closures, attempting to breach them or subject our staff to abuse. This not only disrupts their work but also creates an unwarranted risk to their safety.
“To address this issue, we've equipped our staff with bodycams and increased CCTV surveillance along the highways. Additionally, we have designed new signage aimed at reminding the public to exercise caution in roadworks areas. Footage of law-breaking individuals will be shared with the police.
“In the coming weeks, we'll also be placing signs on the highways which display images of our Highway staff teams along with their actual children, reminding people that our workers have homes to get to with their loved ones. Our ultimate goal is to create a safer working environment for those who tirelessly serve our community."