Jake Zruna posted this picture to Facebook in an attempt to get motorists to think about the workers on site and the dangers speeding through construction zones pose. June 14, 2018. (Photo submitted by Jake Zruna)Jake Zruna posted this picture to Facebook in an attempt to get motorists to think about the workers on site and the dangers speeding through construction zones pose. June 14, 2018. (Photo submitted by Jake Zruna)
Chatham

Construction Worker Asks Motorists To Slow Down

A local construction worker has big safety concerns as he claims people are speeding at upwards of 100 km/h through the site where he is working.

Jake Zruna is an operator currently working at a site on Countryview Line in Chatham-Kent. The road has a posted speed limit of 80 km/h, but motorists are supposed to go 20 km/h under the limit through construction zones.

He recently posted pictures and videos to Facebook of motorists speeding through the zone and asked them to slow down because mistakes can be made by both sides.

"Nobody thinks about the dangers of flying through a construction site when there are workers present," Zruna said. "All it takes is someone to make a mistake and not take a quick peek before crossing and step out in front of a vehicle and the person coming might not have time to react. Mistakes can lead to someone not being around anymore or going home to their family."

Zruna added it isn't just the risk of workers getting hit by a car. He said the construction zone is on a gravel road so, when people speed through, their tires kick up rocks and debris that can hurt or injure workers.

Zruna said he isn't just concerned about the safety of the coworkers.

"You never know, a machine could pull out in front of you," Zruna said. "The person operating it might not be paying attention either and I mean, a big machine colliding with a car, the machine is probably going to win."

The operator said workers had to put up a sign, which reads "Slow Down, We Have Families Too," before the entrance to the construction zone in an attempt to slow motorists down. According to Zruna, it is something many companies have been doing because the problem isn't just in Chatham.

Zruna said he understands the frustration with all the construction in the municipality and how it might cause motorists to be impatient while driving through construction zones.

"It's all about going home safe," Zruna said. "We want to go home to our families and they want to see us at the end of the day. No matter how big a rush you're in, it's not really as important as somebody losing a life over a couple seconds of your life slowing down a bit."

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