The season is here where projects are on the go and often require traffic control in the form of flag people and already I have seen several flaggers out doing their jobs. Unfortunately that also means they have to watch out for bad and inattentive drivers who seem to be attracted like flies to the people in brightly coloured work clothes holding a stop sign that they are clearly waving to get your attention.
Every year there are numerous near misses to full on contact with vehicles and almost always it is the driver of the vehicle at fault because they can not understand simple instructions given to them by flag people in the form of an arm wave or pointing in a particular direction. Add to that the brightly coloured and fluorescent clothing that the flaggers wear are like mosquito attractants drivers will aim for that brightly lit target.
This is not just a few drivers. I have seen in years past entire rows of drivers who may be experienced drivers sit there with confused looks on their faces as the flag person gives them very simple commands to follow and then ignore those commands and drive right at the brightly lit thing standing in front of them. Don't believe me? Ask the flag people yourself. You will probably get more than a few harrowing stories from them.
I know for some this is a tough thing to do but please try to pay attention and watch the very simple commands flaggers give you and, most importantly, go slow through construction zones. It's the law - not a suggestion, but an actual law.
Dean Soiland
Prince George
