Kentucky Adds Speed Enforcement Cameras to Work Zones

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is installing automated speed enforcement cameras in active highway work zones to increase worker and driver safety.

“Every day, our crews head into work zones knowing they’re exposed to real risks from speeding traffic,” said Chad LaRue, executive director of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors, in a statement. “This effort is a great step to ensure our contractors and crews have safe working conditions, just like anyone else.”

Work zones with automated enforcement will have warning signs and flashing lights to alert drivers of the active cameras. The devices are placed at the start of construction sites and police officers are positioned at the end to stop drivers speeding 10 mph or higher over the posted limit.

Fines can total up to $500 when workers are present and tickets will only be issued in person by law enforcement, based on detector data.

Some of the first installation sites include U.S. Highway 25 in Fayette County and Interstate 75 near Corbin. Throughout the fall, the speed enforcement devices will expand across the state, including on Kentucky Route 3 in Martin County and Interstate 64 in Shelby County.

The initiative was enabled by Kentucky House Bill 664, known as the Jared Lee Helton Act. The policy was named in honor of a Kentucky highway worker who was killed in a 2019 work zone crash.

“We’ve lost too many Kentuckians in work zone crashes, including Jared, whose memory this law honors,” State Rep. John Blanton said in a statement. “Installing these speed enforcement cameras is a necessary step to protect not only the men and women working on our roads, but all Kentucky families traveling through these work zones every day.”

In 2024, Kentucky had 1,371 work zones collisions, which resulted in seven deaths and 31 serious injuries.

Sources: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky Office of Highway Safety