ST
PAUL, Minn. — Motorists who speed through a work zone will be fined
$300 beginning Friday, Aug. 1, thanks to a new law passed during the
2014 state legislative session.
“Many
work zones are in place across the state, and many workers are in those
work zones improving our state’s transportation system,” said Charlie
Zelle, Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner. “This law is
important because it provides added protection in areas that can be
vulnerable to careless drivers.”
Motorists who do not obey work zone flaggers’ traffic directions also can be charged a $300 fine.
“Safety
in the work zone is one of our top priorities,” added Sue Groth, state
traffic engineer. “We hope this new increased fine will draw the
attention of motorists to slow down when driving past workers.”
To bring additional attention to work zone safety, the Towards Zero Deaths
effort, a multi-agency partnership that uses education, enforcement,
engineering and emergency trauma response to promote safe and smart
driving behavior, launched a statewide “Orange Cones, No Phones” safety
campaign earlier this summer.
The
Minnesota TZD partners include the departments of Health,
Transportation and Public Safety. Since its launch 10 years ago, the TZD
effort has helped decrease roadway fatalities by nearly half, from 655
in 2003 to 387 in 2013.
In
addition to the new work zone law, other 2014 legislation requires
MnDOT to study all two-lane highways during the next five years, and
where appropriate, consider raising the speed limit from 55 mph to 60
mph.
"We
will only increase the speed limit if it is deemed safe and
reasonable,” said Groth. “Two-lane state highways are already the most
dangerous roads in the state, and we want to make sure any decision we
make considers all factors that affect safety.”
A report of MnDOT’s findings and recommendations is due to the Legislature every January during the five-year review period.
