Why Roadworker Abuse Is Driving People Out of the Sector

The UK’s roadworkers are the unsung heroes of the national infrastructure—operating in all weather, at all hours, to build and maintain the roads that keep the country moving.

But today, many of these vital workers are leaving the profession not because of the physical demands of the job, but due to something far more insidious: abuse from the public.

Verbal threats, physical intimidation, reckless driving, and even assaults are becoming an increasingly common part of life on the road. According to recent surveys and industry reports, this rise in hostility is now a critical threat to recruitment, retention, and the overall health of the highways workforce.

The Scale of the Problem

The abuse faced by roadworkers is not new—but the frequency and severity have reached a new, alarming level. According to Stamp it Out, there were more than 3000 reported incidents of abuse or violence against roadworkers on the network in just one year, with just in the last week Staffordshire CC reporting over 200 cases in the county alone.

However, unions and industry insiders suggest that the real number is much higher, as many as 80% of incidents going unreported due to normalisation or fear of retaliation.

These incidents include:

• Verbal abuse – threats, slurs, and aggressive shouting from passing drivers or pedestrians

• Dangerous driving – motorists speeding through worksites or ignoring closures, putting lives at risk

• Throwing objects – items hurled from vehicles at workers

• Physical assault – including pushing, hitting, or driving vehicles directly at workers

• Online abuse – negative posts or videos shared online targeting workers for delays or disruptions

  
  

This is not just anti-social behaviour—it is a serious health and safety crisis that is actively pushing skilled people out of the industry.

The Human Impact

For the roadworkers affected, the abuse is not just part of the job—it’s traumatising, dangerous, and dehumanising.

Imagine working on a live motorway, in high-visibility clothing, surrounded by fast-moving traffic, and still being screamed at or having objects thrown at you simply for doing your job. For many workers, the psychological toll is severe.

• Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression are rising among frontline workers with over 80% saying they would accept a job on lower pay to remove the risk of abuse and damage to their mental health.

• Fear of returning to work after incidents is becoming more common, especially among newer recruits, with as many as 3 in 5 leaving the industry within a year of starting due to abuse.

• Worker burnout is on the rise, as long hours combined with abuse create an intolerable environment.

Many workers report that the abuse feels personal, even though they are simply following safety protocols or instructions from higher up. As a result, some long-serving professionals are choosing early retirement or career changes, while younger staff leave within the first year.

Impact on the Industry

The broader impact on the highways and civil engineering sectors is significant:

1. Workforce Shortages

Skilled roadworkers are in high demand, and retaining them is already a challenge due to ageing demographics and competition from other sectors. Abuse only worsens this problem, deterring both current workers and potential apprentices with the sector experiencing serious challenges around recruitment with the sector being seen as a career of last resort rather than one of choice.

2. Project Delays

When workers are off sick, traumatised, or unwilling to work in high-risk environments, projects get delayed. This has knock-on effects on delivery schedules, budgets, and public satisfaction.

The cost of just recruitment and retraining of new entrants to the sector is estimated at half a billion bounds across a 5 year road investment period taking into account top up temporary labour.

3. Increased Costs

More security, more training, and higher insurance premiums are needed to protect and support workers—costs that are ultimately passed onto public or private sector clients.

4. Reputational Damage

The highways industry is working hard to attract a younger, more diverse workforce. A culture of abuse and fear directly undermines this goal and harms the industry’s public image.

Root Causes: Why Is This Happening?

Several interrelated factors have led to this spike in abuse:

1. Public Frustration with Delays

With the increasing number of roadworks—due to both essential maintenance and improvement schemes—drivers are often frustrated with delays, diversions, and congestion. Unfortunately, that frustration is too often misdirected at the people on the ground, rather than decision-makers or project planners.

2. Lack of Understanding

Many members of the public do not understand why roadworks are necessary, how long they take, or the safety regulations that must be followed. This leads to anger when works seem “unnecessary” or “slow.”

3. Social Media Misinformation

Viral posts showing empty worksites or overnight closures can generate a false narrative that roadworkers are lazy or inefficient. These videos can stir public anger and increase hostility.

4. Impatience and Aggression in Driving Culture

There is a growing culture of aggression on UK roads. From road rage to speeding, many drivers already display risky or hostile behaviours. The presence of roadworks acts as a trigger for further aggression.

What’s Being Done?

The industry is starting to take the problem seriously. Some of the actions being implemented include:

1. Awareness Campaigns

Stamp it Out, Clients and Contractors have launched public information campaigns, such as the “Respect Our  Workforce” initiative, to humanise workers and explain their roles with the initial Respect our Workforce Week reaching over ten million members of the public through extensive public engagement events and media coverage

2. Body Cameras and CCTV

More workers are being equipped with body-worn cameras, and more sites are being fitted with CCTV to record incidents and deter abuse. These measures also help with prosecution.

3. Legal Action

There is a growing call for tougher penalties for abuse against roadworkers, similar to the protections given to emergency service workers. Some cases have resulted in successful convictions, but more consistency is needed.

4. Workforce Support

Counselling services, mental health resources, and peer support schemes are being made available to those affected by abuse. Still, many workers say more proactive support is needed rather than reactive help.

5. Improved Site Design

Efforts to improve safety through better barriers, clearer signage, and smarter phasing of works can reduce the opportunities for confrontations.

As an industry we have to look in the mirror and accept that we are sometimes, at least part, of the problem and that we have a responsibility to ensure we do not simply add to the problem with a laissez faire attitude - sometimes industry taking the lead and educating the client is not a nice to have but instead a must have on projects - especially where workforce well big is concerned.

However, design changes alone cannot fix cultural attitudes.

What More Can Be Done?

To truly address the root causes, a whole-society response is needed. This includes:

• Public education on why roadworks are essential and how to navigate them safely

• Zero-tolerance policies from employers and government toward any abuse

• Faster response and justice for victims of roadworker abuse

• More visible policing or security presence on high-risk sites

• Media responsibility to avoid sensationalising delays or blaming workers

Most importantly, we must change the narrative: roadworkers are not a nuisance—they are a vital part of the national infrastructure. Without them, the country quite literally grinds to a halt.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Industry

The abuse faced by UK roadworkers is not just a workplace issue—it’s a societal one. The anger directed at these essential workers is driving good people out of the sector, damaging mental health, and undermining the safety of our roads.

As the country continues to invest in upgrading its transport network, the need for a respected, protected, and stable workforce has never been greater. It’s time to stand up for roadworkers—not just with slogans, but with meaningful change.