On Wednesday afternoon, a construction worker was directing traffic when he was hit by an irate driver.
“Our guys were directing traffic to keep traffic from going through the intersection for their safety. And apparently one of the residents here decided that they would not obey the traffic flow and proceeded through the intersection, striking the employee,” Cinch Underground Owner C said.
The worker walked away from the incident with minor injuries. The driver then left the scene.
Law enforcement found him about eight miles away.
Crew leaders say they see drivers failing to obey their instructions daily, sometimes every hour.
“It’s not up to the person driving to direct themselves through the intersection. It’s up to the construction company who appoints the director of traffic. So it’s basically for the safety of the motoring public and for the construction workers,” C said.
Under Florida law, you are required to move over a lane for emergency services, construction crews, utility workers, and disabled vehicles.
If you are unable to safely move over, you must slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
Failing to do so could result in a fine and points on your driving record.
But more importantly, it could cost someone their life.
“They just need to understand these guys are out here doing the job for them to better their community and to make it safer for them to ride the road and basically pay attention to what the guys on the scene are saying because it’s necessary for the safe operation of their vehicles,” C said.
Crew leaders say they have one goal, making sure their employees get home safely. But they need the public’s cooperation to make that happen.
News13 was told the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into Wednesday’s incident.
They have not said if the driver was arrested, or if he’ll even face charges
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Source: Mypanhandle
