The Victorian Government has launched an awareness campaign that urges drivers to slow down, be patient and show respect when encountering workers on the state’s roads. The ‘We’re People Too’ campaign will remind drivers that their actions can impact the physical and mental safety of Victorian roadworkers, and in some instances these actions can have deadly consequences.

The campaign will run across multiple media platforms from 2 November to 31 December and will feature four Victorian roadworkers sharing details about their lives when they’re away from the roadside.

Research from the Traffic Management Association of Australia has revealed an increase in physical and verbal aggression towards roadworkers, with statistics showing that roadworkers are verbally assaulted on average once a week and will report one motorist refusing to stop once a fortnight.

The state government also recently launched a road maintenance blitz; roadworker crews will be completing thousands of projects on the project until mid-2025. Drivers are asked to be patient and pay attention, including to temporary speed zones established around worksites to ensure roadworker safety. Penalties will apply for not obeying reduced speed limits.

Hazards including roadside excavations, the presence of heavy machinery or a change in space available for through traffic are a few reasons for reduced speed limits. Under the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, the government is working across education, infrastructure, policy and technology to halve road deaths, reduce serious injury and achieve zero trauma by 2050.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said roadworkers should be treated with respect as they carry out the important job of improving Victoria’s road network. “Every Victorian deserves the right to feel safe at work — this campaign is a reminder that the decisions every driver makes can be the reason our roadworkers make it home safely each day to their loved ones,” Horne said.