Indiana DOT Expands Work Zone Speed-Control Program

The Indiana Department of Transportation is expanding its worksite speed-control pilot program after recorded success at current deployment areas.

“We’ve seen around a 70% reduction in excessive speeds within our current deployment sites,” INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist said. “Creating safer conditions for both drivers and road workers is our goal, and lower speeds are a huge factor in that effort.”

The Safe Zones program captures a license plate image from vehicles traveling more than 11 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Signs are posted in the construction zone notifying drivers that the system is monitoring their speed.

Workers must be present for a violation to be valid. First-time violations receive a zero-fine warning, followed by a $75 fine for second violations and a $150 fine for third violations and beyond.

Fines must be paid within 30 days of the violation being mailed. The money goes into Indiana’s General Fund, which the Indiana General Assembly uses to fund state agencies and programs.

“I am encouraged by the success we’ve seen so far, and I cannot stress enough the importance of slowing down and avoiding distractions in work zones,” said Indiana Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor. “We want everyone to go home safe at the end of the day.”

The Safe Zones program will resume on Interstate 70 in Hancock County and begin on the Interstate 80/Interstate 90 Indiana Toll Road in Steuben County around Sept. 15.

The program is currently active in the Clear Path Interstate 465/Interstate 69 work zone in northeastern Indianapolis and on Interstate 65 near Lowell. While the work in Indianapolis will continue, Safe Zones will end in Lowell later this month.

A list of active Indiana Safe Zone locations can be found here.

Sources: 21 Alive News, Indiana Safe Zones