Indiana is expanding its use of speed cameras in highway construction zones, adding more “Safe Zones” aimed at slowing drivers and protecting road crews.
Cameras were already operating on Interstate 465 on the northeast side of Indianapolis and on I-70 east of the city, according to the state news outlet WSBT.
Now, the Indiana Department of Transportation has restarted enforcement on additional stretches, including I-70 near Greenfield and I-65 in Jasper County near Rensselaer, WRTV reports.
Under the Safe Zones rules, drivers going 11 miles per hour or more over the posted construction speed limit will be photographed by cameras mounted on vehicles or roadside equipment. The first time this happens, the driver gets a warning in the mail.
A second offense results in a $75 fine, and subsequent violations cost $150 each. WSBT reports that a fourth zone is scheduled to start next week on Interstate 74 southeast of Indianapolis.
According to WDRB, the camera enforcement is set to cover four work sites statewide by April 1. The newest Safe Zone spans a stretch of I-74 in Shelby and Decatur counties. WDRB also notes that if drivers are caught exceeding construction speed limits, photos of their license plates are taken and citations are mailed out.
Officials say the goal of these cameras isn’t to generate revenue but to protect drivers and workers. A spokesperson told WRTV that the Safe Zones program is about safety and not about collecting money.
The Safe Zones pilot was authorized by state lawmakers and can operate at up to four sites at once, according to a program fact sheet. SafeZonesIn.com, which provides program details, explains that the pilot started in August 2024 and is intended to run through 2028. The fact sheet says collected fines go into the state’s general fund.
Construction work zones historically have higher rates of speeding and traffic crashes. INDOT’s broader safety goals include reducing fatalities and serious injuries overall, and Safe Zones are part of that strategy. State planning documents show that work zone safety is a priority as part of improving the state’s highway system.
For drivers, that means watching posted speed limits well before entering a construction zone. Even if workers aren’t immediately visible, cameras can still be enforcing the reduced limits when crews are present in the area.
Sources: WSBT, WRTV, WDRB, Indiana Safe Zones, INDOT
