Notice. React. Slow Down.

Autostrada Wielkopolska and Autostrada Eksploatacja have launched a new social campaign, “Notice. React. Slow Down.”, aimed at raising drivers’ awareness of the safety of road maintenance workers operating on the motorway.

According to data from the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA), last year alone in Poland there were 80 incidents involving maintenance crews working on motorways and expressways. Two people lost their lives, and 30 workers were injured. Most of these incidents occurred on straight road sections, where drivers often underestimate risks.

The new campaign on the A2 motorway seeks to draw greater attention to the people and equipment working on the road.

To ensure the safety of our employees, as well as travelers on the A2 motorway, we use special energy-absorbing crash cushions equipped with signal boards to protect roadworks carried out on the motorway lanes. These crash cushions have already saved lives on numerous occasions – both drivers and our employees,” explains Wojciech Martynów, Director of Motorway Operations at Autostrada Eksploatacja.

This year, following several months of successful testing of warning transmitters already used in Germany, Autostrada Eksploatacja decided to purchase these devices.

The warning transmitters, which operate by sending messages through CB radio, helped reduce incidents involving road crews in Germany by 30%. However, for our employees to feel fully safe while working on the motorway, cooperation from drivers is essential,” adds Krzysztof Golis, Manager of Asset Management at Autostrada Eksploatacja.

Surveys among drivers on the A2 section from Świecko to Konin show that over 92% rate roadwork signage positively, and nearly 90% declare that they slow down when approaching maintenance works. Despite this, there are still cases of vehicles colliding with protective equipment.

The goal of the campaign is to show drivers that by following three simple rules, they can ensure safety for themselves and road crews alike:

• Notice the works and the people performing them,
• React early – take your foot off the accelerator,
• Slow Down when approaching maintenance equipment, without waiting until the last moment.

Working on a live motorway, even with crash cushions and additional warning signals in place, remains stressful and dangerous for maintenance crews. Motorways and expressways are high-speed roads, which makes timely reaction crucial. Slowing down at the right moment – without overestimating one’s skills or relying too heavily on onboard technology – is vital.

Three factors influence road safety. Infrastructure is one – and we provide it at the highest level, both in terms of investment and daily maintenance, so that drivers can travel safely and comfortably. The second factor is the vehicle, increasingly equipped with advanced assistance and early-warning systems. But the most important element is the human being. It is the driver who decides when to slow down and stay alert. Their concentration and adherence to traffic rules determine safety – for themselves and for others,” emphasizes Michał Pabich, Road Safety Expert at Autostrada Wielkopolska.

Road safety is a shared responsibility. Even the best infrastructure and most modern technology cannot replace driver attentiveness and sound judgment. It is conscious decisions behind the wheel that ultimately decide whether a journey ends safely.
The campaign, launched in September, will continue next year