Officials in Pennsylvania have officially started enforcing a program that uses vehicle-mounted speed cameras in work zones to target dangerous drivers.
Beginning on Tuesday, March 5, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike), and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) started enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program.
The program uses “vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices.”
The camera system will only be in use when workers are physically present, officials say.
Speed violators receive a warning notice letter for the first work zone speed violation, then a $75 fine for a second offense, and a $150 for third and subsequent offenses. The speed violations would be civil penalties only, and no points would be assessed on a driver’s license.
The Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program was made permanent following a five year pilot program. In 2022, $7,221,372 was collected in fine remittance as part of the pilot program.
“Speed safety cameras are important tools for discouraging drivers from exceeding posted speeds,” explained PA Turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey. “Paying attention and reducing speed are critical as drivers approach a work zone where workers are inches from live traffic. The goal of this program is to build awareness and most importantly, to change unsafe driving behaviors.
“The pilot program demonstrated that even the first warning initiates a behavioral change as the percent of repeat offenders was less than 17 percent. Additionally, the program serves as a roadway reminder that safety is literally in each driver’s hands when they are behind the wheel.”
“Many injuries and fatalities in work zones can be prevented if drivers simply slow down, and that’s the goal of this program,” said Pennsylvania State Police Director of the Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol. “The cameras have been effective in making our work zones safer, and we look forward to seeing additional results from the program’s full-time implementation.”
See the video below for more.