Working with people is at times nuts. Even with the police there to direct traffic I had a lady pull up (on the sidewalk)and stop (park her car) next to a tree that was already cut (notched) on one side to fall. Only to ask, "Why are you cutting down that beautifull tree?" All stop while the policeman spent the next 5 miniutes talking her into moving her car. The tree had dropped a limb through a cars windshield (owner worked for the Magistrate) the night before. Then the neighbors son on another job (9 yr old mind) wrapped in a 17 yr old body (mentally challenged) heard the saws and came to have a look see. Walked under the tree. Alert homeowner grabbed him and walked him a safe distance away. Grounman was ineffective. Homeowner knew the kid.
Tape/cones and traffic control may help and then there are times when it doesn't. Staying alert to what's happening around you without being distracted is a very tough job part of the job. The longer you're at this the more crazies you're likely going to see. Not everyone uses common sense. Like the guy in the Humvee last week drives through the limbs, on the street, while the crew is cutting them up. Wind had blown a tree over the phone lines, man in the boom facing away from the Humvee cutting limbs loose. Ground crew dashes to get out of the way of the oncoming Humvee.
Try as you may you're not going to get cooperation from everyone. I don't do utility work but I've seen my share of crazies out there.
In my Army days, there was an MP who manned (?) the south gate to our post and slowed traffic just by standing there. You can imagine she had to be something special if she could do that while wearing fatigues! 
