Statewide work zone automated speed camera systems are coming soon.
A 60-day pre-enforcement pilot period that will be used for testing and not for issuing citations will begin soon.
The program was approved last fall by legislators.
“The Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program isn’t about issuing violations, it’s about saving lives,” PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards said Wednesday at an event near Harrisburg. “Last year, 23 motorists were killed in a Pennsylvania work zone. Through this program we are urging motorists to slow down and pay attention while driving, especially in work zones where roadway conditions can change on a daily basis.”
PennDOT said there was 1,804 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, which resulted in 23 fatalities, in 2018. Since 1970, the transportation agency has lost 89 employees on highways and the Pennsylvania Turnpike has had 45 works killed since 1945.
The speed camera system will use a vehicle-mounted apparatus to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices. On Wednesday, PennDOT displayed a white Jeep Grand Cherokee equipped with speed cameras.
The systems are only active in work zones when crews are present, PennDOT officials said.
During the 60-day pre-enforcement period, a number of speed cameras will be deployed in work zones, but the locations were not released as of Wednesday. PennDOT plans to post locations online.
Every work zone that has speed cameras will feature signage to warn motorists.
“Once enforcement begins, registered owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice and $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice and $150 fine for third and subsequent offenses. These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses,” PennDOT said.
“We are committed to facilitating the efficient movement of traffic through work zones while ensuring the safety of drivers, passengers, and workers,” said Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol Director Major James Basinger. “PSP continues to work closely with our safety partners to explore how to best leverage evolving technology to make Pennsylvania’s roads safer.”
Maryland began using speed cameras in work zones in 2015. Data from that state indicates work zone speed violations dropped and deaths in work zones dropped from six in 2015 to one in 2016 once the new monitoring system went into place.
A 2016 memo from State Sen. David Argall and State Sen. Judith Schwank noted that a 2012 report from the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee noted state police spent $5.7 million to patrol work zones.
