Road rage warning as Hampshire highways workers face abuse
Hampshire County Council said it would adopt a zero tolerance approach
Highways workers in Hampshire are facing an increasing amount of road rage from frustrated drivers.
Incidents of verbal abuse, threats of physical violence and aggressive behaviour rose by 16 per cent in the county last year, compared to 2019.
This is despite lower traffic flows as a result of Covid-19 restrictions and resulting changes in travel behaviour.
"It was a shock and definitely unsettled me for a few days"
One highway engineer said: "I telephoned a landowner to discuss some unauthorised work that had taken place on the public highway.
"During the call the customer went from being courteous to incredibly abusive in an instant for no reason at all.
"I was also personally threatened by the customer who offered to meet me so he could 'kick my head in'.
"He stated if he ever saw me or any other Hampshire County Council officer near his land, he would do the same.
"It was a shock and definitely unsettled me for a few days."
A senior manager in Highways had this story to tell: "I went to a site to look into the illegal use of highway land.
"A man came out, saw me and started to verbally threaten me.
"When I tried to drive away the man blocked the road, continuing the verbal abuse toward me. I reported that situation to the police."
400 highways staff are working on Hampshire’s roads and footways on an average day
Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, who looks after highways operations at Hampshire County Council, said: "I have been profoundly shocked at recent reports I’ve received where highways crews have been the victims of someone’s frustration and road rage.
"No-one should have to be subjected to abuse or threats of any kind while they are working hard to repair and maintain our highways and footways.
"Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and to return home safely and we are appealing to people to have consideration for our frontline staff who are often working in difficult conditions.
"Verbal abuse, violence, threats or aggression cannot be accepted or tolerated. Any instances will be immediately reported to the police."