HARRISBURG, Pa. — Smile, you might be on camera — at least if you’re going through an active work zone on a Pennsylvania highway.
In partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police, The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on Tuesday announced enforcement of the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety program.
The announcement not only highlighted a name change — replacing what was known as the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program — it marked the conversion of the initial five-year pilot program into a permanent one.
Changes to legislation and enforcement took effect Feb. 15, 2024.
What’s changed
Throughout the five-year pilot program, officials touted a 38% reduction in speeding in work zones (1 mph or more over the speed limit), and a 47% reduction in excessive speeding in work zones (11 mph or more over the speed limit).
Work zone crashes also declined by up to 50% in work zones where 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,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said during the announcement.
“Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we’re pleased that it’s now a permanent program in Pennsylvania.”
The new legislation makes several adjustments to House Bill 1284, signed into law in December. They include:
- A 15-day warning period beginning on the mail date of the first violation
- A 15-day waiting period from the date a first violation is mailed until a second violation is sent
The delays are meant to allow time for warnings to be delivered to motorists to make sure they’re aware of the program and change their behavior, officials said.
Once the 15-day warning period has ended, multiple violations can be received on consecutive days, or even on the same day.
The new enforcement marks a clean slate for motorists who have previously received violations under the pilot program, but it doesn’t get them off the hook for paying a fine.
On Feb. 15, all violations will be reset for the duration of the warning period. However, violations issued prior to that date are still valid and will continue to be pursued.
How to spot a work zone safety camera
Work zones with speed safety cameras will be marked with new, high-visibility signage ahead of the enforcement area.
The program will use vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more by using electronic speed timing devices.
The camera systems will only be operational in active work zones where workers are present.
Registered owners of vehicles speeding through work zones will receive a warning letter, followed by a violation notice and a $75 fine for a second offense. Any violation after will automatically include a $150 fine, though no points will be assessed to a driver’s license.
“Speed safety cameras are important tools for discouraging drivers from exceeding posted speeds,” PA Turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey said.
“Paying attention and reducing speed are 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.”
Shuey said the pilot program was successful in changing driver behavior, with the percentage of repeat offenders under 17%.
In 2022, there were 1,293 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 14 fatalities, and 42% of work zone crashes resulted in fatalities and/or injuries. Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945.
