August 18, 2026 – Just after 2 p.m. on August 13, 2026, a road construction flagger reported that they were struck in a marked work zone on Highway 6 and Caudle Sideroad in Bruce County, and the driver continued on without stopping. At present, the victim is recovering from internal and soft-tissue injuries and is unsure when it will be possible to return to work.
“It is hoped that the driver of the offending vehicle will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. No matter the service being provided, all workers deserve a safe and healthy workplace, free from being assaulted by another person or a moving piece of machinery,” says Labour Council President Kevin Smith.
The requirement to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles has been in place for several years. This requirement is legislated in traffic laws. For at least as long, workers have advocated for the same requirements for all workers working on or beside roadways. “Some success has been achieved, but the vast majority of jurisdictions in Canada do not have such a requirement,” says Labour Council VP for Grey County, Chris Stephen.
The despicable choice made by a driver to ignore a flag person at a roadway construction site is not the same issue as the “move over or slow down” law, but it underscores the high risk that anyone working on or near a roadway is exposed to and how important it is to provide the maximum possible health and safety protections for such workers.
“All workers are entitled to a healthy and safe workplace, but statistics on roadway injuries and fatalities clearly demonstrate a need for increased requirements, such as an expanded move over or slow down law, and zero tolerance for people ignoring and/or injuring road construction workers,” notes Labour Council VP for Bruce County, Dave Trumble.
Grey Bruce Labour Council
