Slow down in work zones or pay the price

Drivers who speed through construction zones on some state highways will receive a citation in the mail.

Still, many drivers disregard these rules. But as of this week, doing so will come at a high price on some stretches of Pennsylvania highways.

Police now are issuing tickets under the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program. Troopers use a vehiclemounted system to record the speed of motorists and the license plate numbers of those who exceed the speed limit by 11 mph or more. Warning notices will be posted on the highway in advance of the area. Violators will receive citations in the mail.

A warning will be issued the first time a motorist is caught driving 11 mph or more over the work zone speed limit. A second violation carries a $75 fine, and a third offense carries a $150 fine. The violations are civil penalties and will not result in points being added to a driver’s license.

The locations selected for the pilot project were based on a data-driven process to maximize the effectiveness of the systems, officials said. Cameras were placed in spots known for heavy traffic moving at high speeds.

An 8.3-mile section of Interstate 78 from Hamburg to Lenhartsville is part of the automated system. The average daily traffic there is estimated at 41,000 vehicles, including more than 13,600 trucks, according to PennDOT.

Tickets also will be issued on a stretch of Interstate 476 — commonly called the Blue Route — from mile marker 31 to 38 in eastern Montgomery County.

PennDOT is doing a good job of alerting motorists to the new enforcement effort through traditional media and on electronic signs along highways all over the state.

We’re well aware of the cynicism many people express when the subject of any kind of speed enforcement comes up. The main argument usually amounts to calling such efforts a money grab by the government.

But the reality here is that there are far too many accidents in work zones, and speeding motorists are part of the problem.

In 2018, there were 1,804 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 23 fatalities and 43 injuries.

While there have not been any fatal accidents involving construction workers since the I-78 upgrade started in 2015, there’s always a danger for construction workers.

Anyone who has driven along the stretch of Interstate 78 in question knows how common speeding has been in that area. Motorists who attempt to obey the law risk being run down by impatient drivers eager to exceed the limit by 20 mph or more.

We can only hope that folks who are scared into following the speed limit in the work zone keep that good habit going on the rest of I-78 in Berks, which has been the scene of some horrific accidents in recent years.

The cameras project is welcome news to contractors as well as to families of construction workers, some of whom have been pushing for laws to improve safety measures that address both the speed and distracted driving habits that cause work zone tragedies.

While the camera program is designed to prevent speeding, not distracted driving, the two go hand in hand as hazards in work zones.

And we must reiterate that motorists themselves will benefit from engaging in safe driving practices in work zones. It’s particularly dangerous to speed or indulge in distractions while navigating lane changes, chutes and barriers.

According to PennDOT, cameras have succeeded in other states by deterring people from speeding, leading to a reduction in crashes in work zones.

Our message to motorists is simple. Complain about the new system if you want, but be prepared to slow down and pay attention in work zones. Those who fail to do so will be sorry, and not necessarily just because of a fine.