“All summer, I was in a back brace,” said Beynon, a broadcasting student at Mount Royal College and former tap and ballet instructor. “Originally, I thought I wouldn’t be able to go back to school.” As she recovers, Beynon is encouraged by proposed legislation that would double the fines for motorists who speed through construction zones. She is also pleased to hear the same legislation would require drivers passing stopped emergency vehicles or tow trucks to reduce their speed to 60 km/h or the posted limit.

The day Beynon was hurt last May, part of the highway west of the city had to be closed so the STARS air ambulance could land at the scene. Beynon learned later that some motorists, irritated by the slow-moving traffic, took their frustrations out on the emergency personnel trying to help her. One motorist drove through the ditch in an attempt to bypass the scene, while another extended his middle finger at the crews.

“It was complete impatience,” said Beynon.

“I remember being pretty angry.”

Other advocates of road safety say, while the legislation is encouraging, it should be part of an overall plan to protect workers. Dennis Locking, human resources manager with Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd., said public awareness, ample signage and infrastructure to reduce driver anxiety are equally important in reducing injury and death.

“What troubles me is, if we think increasing fines and or giving more tickets is the solution to making workers safer, I think that’s misled,” said Locking, whose company oversees hundreds of road construction projects every year, including the site where Beynon worked.

“We don’t think it is the panacea of protecting workers, but it would help.”

Mike Plato, public education officer for Calgary EMS, said public awareness has to be a big part of any changes. Years ago, Plato came within inches of being hit by a half-tonne truck as he stood on Deerfoot Trail during a call. He wants motorists to be aware of the fact emergency workers need room to work.

“You talk to any paramedic and nearly all of our staff will have stories of near misses,” said Plato. “Anything that serves to make the road safer, we are supportive of.”

According to Partners in Road Construction Safety, a conglomerate of public and private-sector groups, collisions in highway construction and maintenance zones are a big problem in Alberta. In 2003, 541 collisions were reported, resulting in one fatality and 156 injuries. The organization estimates half of those injuries involved motorists. The legislative changes, introduced before the legislature Wednesday as Bill 39, would also allow for the seizure of vehicles used for prostitution-related activities. Among other changes, the legislation would increase penalties for driving without insurance and enhance the ability of the transportation minister to make regulations regarding the safe management of commercial motor carriers.

“Traffic safety is one of my department’s top priorities,” said Lyle Oberg, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation.

“This amended act strengthens our ability to reduce fatalities and injuries on our roadways, using a co-ordinated and targeted approach.”

Beynon sustained a broken back, pelvis, foot and ribs, and a sprained knee and ankle in the collision. She says even though speed wasn’t a factor, it’s time changes were made.