Speeding In A Work Zone? Smile For the Camera!
Fatal crashes in construction zones have declined in Alabama, but injury crashes continue to rise. That makes National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week a critical time to remind motorists to slow down when they approach those orange barrels and cones. To emphasize the seriousness of work zone safety Gov. Ivey has signed the Alabama Work Zone Safety Act.
The act authorizes the placement of cameras in work zones and people whose tag is photographed while speeding through that area will get a civil traffic citation in the mail from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
The bill didn't sail through the legislature this past session without some lawmakers voicing concern. Several lawmakers said the fine and the overall system outlined in the bill forces motorists to have to prove innocence rather than the courts have to prove guilt. They pointed out the person driving may not be the person who the tag is registered to.
“My hope in this is that we don’t collect a dollar; that there’s no ticket given and that everyone who goes to that work zone goes home that night,” Bill sponsor Sen. Josh Carnley (R-31) stated during upper chamber debate on the measure.
A press release from the governor's office showed 2,543 crashes in Highway Work Zones last year, with approximately 11 fatalities and 709 injuries. With the historic amount of road work across the state, Governor Ivey believes it is more urgent than ever before to be mindful when driving through work zones.
“Currently in Alabama, there is roadwork ongoing in all 67 counties, including on our major roadways. It is just critical that we all drive carefully through work zones,” Ivey said in prepared remarks. “I was proud to put my signature on the Alabama Work Zone Safety Act that will help us improve safety around our roadwork and the enforcement mechanisms going forward. As we are rebuilding Alabama in all 67 counties, let’s keep the men and women doing the hard work, as well as our fellow motorists and ourselves, safe!”
A driver awareness program will launch in October, with full enforcement expected to begin before the end of the year.
The act is a pilot project and requires reports to the Legislature studying the effectiveness of the program.
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