EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the PA Turnpike Commission announced Tuesday the beginning of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program.
PennDOT says the program, previously referred to as Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement, was an initial five-year pilot program that was made permanent after Governor Josh Shapiro signed it into law in December 2013.
Officials say over five years, the pilot program had a 38 percent reduction in speeding at 1 mph or more, a 47 percent reduction in excessive speeding at 11 mph or more, and a decline in crashes up to 50 percent when a speed enforcement vehicle was present.
"The Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program is about making work zones safer for both workers and motorists by reducing speeds and changing driver behavior. Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we’re pleased that it’s now a permanent program in Pennsylvania.”
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
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PennDOT says effective as of February 15, 2024, the program will have a new 15-day warning period when a driver receives their first violation by mail. If a driver is caught speeding through a work zone by the safety cameras they will not receive a second violation until 15 days after the mail date of the first violation.
After the 15-day warning period, multiple violations can be received on consecutive days, and even on the same day.
According to PennDOT Pennsylvania’s Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program uses vehicle-mounted systems to record drivers speeding in work zones going 11 mph or more using electronic speed timing devices.
According to officials, the camera systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present. Registered owners will receive a warning letter for the first offense, a violation notice with a $75 fine for the second offense, and a violation notice with a $150 fine for the third and offenses acquired after.
Speed safety cameras are important tools for discouraging drivers from exceeding posted speeds. Paying attention and reducing speed is 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.
PA Turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey
PennDOT says in 2022, there were 1,293 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 14 fatalities, and 42 percent of work zone crashes resulted in fatalities and injuries.
According to PennDOT since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty and The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945.
For more information on the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program, including a list of projects where the units are deployed, visit PennDOT's Work Zone Cameras webpage.
