Road signs are there for a reason
They are there to warn you of hazards ahead, like a change in the road surface because of a repair, which could affect your ability to brake quickly and to steer safely away from danger.
Stone chips from a road repair can also be a hazard to you and other vehicles.
Because it takes several days for chip to settle, driving too fast can not only throw up chips which could damage your vehicle, it can also ruin the new surface and lead to expensive ratepayer funded repairs.
Ultimately road signs signal that it is not safe to travel any faster than the regulatory speed limit.
To do so endangers not only your own life, but also the lives of others, including road workers.
Even if you can’t see any sign of construction, if you see orange and black, then hold back.
See Orange and Black? – Then hold back!
Temporary advance warning signs are usually diamond shaped and coloured orange and black.
Don’t ignore them. They are there for your safety.
You need to be on the lookout and react accordingly if you see these signs.
General Road Works
It signals road works ahead, road marking, wet tar, new seal, skid testing, grader, surveying, shoulder closed, mower, delays possible
Warning
It signals now road marking, new road layout, signals changed, fire, flooding, blasting, accident, cyclists, runners, tree felling, logging trucks, linemen
New seal/seal road repair
Driving too fast can not only throw up chips which could damage yours’ and other vehicles, it can also ruin the new surface leading to expensive, ratepayer funded repairs.
Where you see these Temporary Speed Restrictions you should expect
30kph – on an active work site, or a hazard; stop/go traffic control, directional lights, road workers and machinery
50kph – or 70 kph – on a new seal with loose stone chips, no road markings and machinery, or other active works. Care should always be taken as workers may still be in the area
Stop/Go Men
Road repair crews sometime use temporary traffic signals or hand held stop/go signs to stop traffic during road works.
Take special care and follow any instructions you are given
Crashes happen when drivers ignore warning signs and temporary speed limits.
Don’t take these warnings lightly.
You could be fined
Construction sites are regularly monitored by Police and if you are caught speeding through them you could be fined.
Road repair crews are also instructed to take down the licence details of anyone driving in a careless or dangerous manner. This information is then passed on to the authorities.
Normal speeding fines and demerit points apply for exceeding temporarily posted speed limits on work sites
An immediate 28 day licence suspension applies if you are exceeding the speed limit by 50 kph or more. Repeat offenders may have their vehicle impounded.
Failing to heed the signs could not only be costly ignoring temporary road signs can be fatal.