Traffic controller in Pointe-aux-Trembles hit-and-run dies of his injuries

The traffic controller who was left in critical condition on July 12, after a hit-and-run at a roadwork site in in Pointe-aux-Trembles, has died of his injuries.

Maxime Béland, 39, died in hospital on July 17.

Another worker on the site, Fabrizio Altieri, 39, was also hit and suffered minor injuries.

BACKGROUND: Hit-and-run on Pointe-aux-Trembles worksite injures two traffic controllers

According to Montreal police (SPVM), a vehicle tried to cross through a cordoned-off area near the intersection of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Blvd. and Industriel around 10:20 p.m.

The suspect, a 68-year-old man, fled the scene and later turned himself in to police. He was arrested, but later released.

An investigation is ongoing and it’s unclear if any charges will be laid.

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante tweeted about the death Wednesday, writing: “I offer my most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Maxime Béland. Worksite safety is essential and we must collectively do better to protect traffic controllers.”

J’offre mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux proches de Maxime Béland. La sécurité des chantiers est essentielle et nous devons collectivement faire mieux pour protéger les signaleurs routiers.

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) July 19, 2023

Quebec needs to do more, union says

A union representing traffic controllers says the province needs to do more to protect them.

Martin L’Abbee of United Steelworkers, the union that represents around 1,000 traffic signallers in the province, says the incident marks Quebec’s 19th traffic controller death in the last three decades, including signallers and workers installing signage.

He called the figure “inconceivable,” likening the work controllers do to protect road users to that of police officers.

“This has to stop,” he said. “They’re not policemen, but they’re protecting everyone.”

United Steelworkers is pushing for an update to Quebec’s driving course to include a section on traffic control workers’ safety, as well as more worker safety training in construction companies that receive government contracts for highway work.

L’Abbee also wants to see a public campaign to raise awareness of signallers’ work and more severe penalties, such as higher fines and licence revocations, for drivers who violate traffic signals near road construction sites.

Province welcomes proposals to improve worker safety

In a statement offering condolences to the family of the signaller, the office of Quebec Transport Minister Genevieve Guilbault said it welcomes proposals for worker safety improvements and that it already plans to include in contracts additional measures to ensure proper signage installation at roadwork sites.

It also pointed to a recent update to its three-year plan to improve safety on roadwork sites, which includes increased speed monitoring around work sites and an evaluation of how traffic control barriers can “minimize exposure to risk” for workers.

L’Abbee called the plan “a step in the right direction,” but insisted more needs to be done. He said he hopes drivers realize traffic control workers are there for their safety. “They’re there for the security of everyone,” he said.

—With files from The Canadian Press