Traffic Construction Zone Safety

Construction zone injuries and deaths seemingly increase each year. Experts identify both negligent driving and negligent construction zone patterns as causes of these fatalities and injuries. Pennsylvania drivers must be aware of Work Zone Safety (WZS) law that punishes drivers who disobey posted signs in areas with road construction. Pennsylvanians should note that these laws are strictly enforced and breaking the law not only reduces safety, but incurs fines, as well as points on a driving record, and perhaps even jail  time.

Active Work Zones

• Active work zones must have a sign forewarning motorists they are entering and leaving the work zone. The presence of an “Active Work Zone When Flashing” sign indicates that workers are present on the construction site. Active work zones have stiffer penalties for drivers who commit violations. A white flashing light attached to the “Active Work Zone When Flashing” sign indicates an active work zone, and will only be activated when workers are present and turned off when workers are not present.
• Motorists who drive 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically will lose their license for 15 days.
• Fines for certain traffic violations, such as speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices are doubled for active work zones. Also, up to five years of additional jail time may be given to individuals convicted of homicide resulting from a vehicle crash in an active work zone.

Posted Work Zones

• All motorists are required to travel with their headlights turned on in all posted work zones and active work zones. It is necessary for drivers in vehicles with daytime running lights to turn on their headlights in order to activate their taillights. The fine for driving without lit headlights in a posted work zone is $25. This is a secondary law, which means a driver may be fined if stopped for another traffic offense.
• Interstate work zones with a project cost exceeding $300,000 will have a speed-monitoring device to alert motorists of their speed prior to entering the work zone.

Road construction is ongoing in Pennsylvania. Follow the law, drive defensively and stay alert in work zones to avoid accidents, fines and  loss of drivers license. If you or a loved one has suffered any type of injury resulting from a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or truck accident, contact Powell Law at call (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE and you don’t pay anything unless we win.