With roadwork ramping up during the busy summer driving season, did you know you can still get a speed camera ticket in work zones where workers aren’t actively working?
A News4 viewer got a $120 ticket for driving more than 12 mph over the posted speed limit through a work zone in Maryland. They didn’t dispute the speed but said they didn’t see any construction workers in the work zone at the time.
But in Maryland, workers don’t have to be there for drivers to get fined. Even though workers might not be present, motorists can still get a speed camera violation that could go as high as $500.
“Work zones are challenging, regardless,” Maryland State Highway Administration Office of Traffic Safety Director Cedric Ward said. “Oftentimes, lanes are shifting.”
He said everyone needs to fully focus through work zones — road workers or not. He pointed to the 2023 Baltimore Beltway work zone crash that killed six highway construction workers.
“We don’t want to issue any citations,” Ward said. “Our goal is to get to zero. When we get to zero citations, everyone’s paying attention, and that, ultimately, should translate to lives being saved.”
A new law took effect last year doubling fines for drivers who speed through work zones when workers actually are present. Fines can go as high as $1,000.
The latest safety numbers from Maryland show the new fines could be improving road safety. The number of work zone deaths dropped from 12 in 2024 to nine last year, according to the data.
Maryland highway officials also caution that last month, two highway workers were killed along Maryland roadways within days of one another.
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