Work Zone Speeding = License Suspension

Spring weather means flowers blooming, warmer weather … and road work. While construction delays can be frustrating, oftentimes pushing the need for speed, hefty penalties are reason enough for motorists to take a brake.

Motorists caught driving 11 miles per hour, or more, above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted of speeding, automatically lose their license for 15 days, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Nearly 600 motorists had their license suspended for work zone violations last year. 

“The start-up of road work season is also a good time to remind motorists about our state’s Steer Clear law,” said State Police Maj. Timothy J. Mercer in a press release. “Whether it’s a trooper on a traffic stop or a highway work crew doing repairs on the roadway shoulder, Pennsylvania law requires that motorists either pull into the left lane when possible or slow down to give responders an extra cushion of safety.”

If fines and the possible loss of a driver’s license isn’t reason enough to slow down, PennDOT offers one more: crash fatalities. In 2011 there were more than 1,800 work zone collisions in Pennsylvania, resulting in 21 deaths including one highway worker.

“Motorists who speed, drive distracted or are simply careless when traveling in a work zone pose a great safety risk to highway workers and other drivers,” said PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch in a press release. “We can prevent the needless tragedy that results from crashes in work zones if drivers pay attention and slow down.”

National Work Zone Awareness Week runs April 23-27. This year’s theme is "Don’t Barrel Through Work Zones! Drive Smart to Arrive Alive.”

Information on work-zone safety laws and other tips are available under the “Work Zone” information center on www.DriveSafePA.org. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews.