Indiana Highway Work Zone Speed Cameras Aim to Stop Accidents

Road construction is a common sight throughout Indiana. Whether workers are repairing potholes and eroded asphalt, or hired for large re-design projects, road work is always occurring, day and night.

Delays, detours, and inconveniences are the concerns many Hoosiers attribute to road construction. On the other hand, road workers view the realities of highway and interstate construction much differently: They simply want to be able to go home at the end of their shift.

Attorney Matt Boulton has investigated a number of car accidents involving Indiana highway workers, and a common liability factor involved in many of these accidents is speed. In many cases, it is found that the driver of a car or truck was driving at speeds above the posted construction zone limits.

At present, Indiana’s highway and interstate workers are left to hope that road construction signage does its job to help ensure drivers slow down, but it appears Indiana is ready to take a bigger step aimed at stopping construction zone speeding.

Indiana House Bill 1015 – Work Zone Speed Cameras

According to the content of a new bill (Indiana House Bill 1015) passed by the Indiana House, a soon-to-be launched pilot program will introduce automated traffic enforcement to Indiana highway and interstate work zones.

How Will It Work?

Because it’s a pilot program, the initial roll-out of automated work zone cameras will be limited. In fact, the Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police will be given a maximum of four (4) work zone sites per year to monitor and test.

Additionally, so that Hoosier drivers are on notice, clear and visible automated enforcement signage must be posted in any work zone participating in the program.

If a driver is documented exceeding a posted work site speed limit by more than 11 mph, the penalties for automated zones are as follows:

• First offense – Warning
• Second offense – $75
• Third offense – $150

Should pilot results mirror the positive findings of automated enforcement programs currently running in other states, it’s likely Indiana will implement statewide use of automated work zone cameras. (“Positive results” translates to reduced instances of speeding and auto accidents in work zones.)

What Are the Concerns?

Automated cameras are designed to put a stop to speeding in work zones, however, given the pilot program’s relatively lax penalty system, there is concern that it may not be strict enough.

For example, anyone caught speeding in an Indiana construction zone by an actual officer is currently required to pay a $300 fine as well as multiple fees.

Additionally, there is a potential problem with the image(s) captured by the speed cameras. Due to privacy concerns, the bill does not allow for cameras to photograph the front of a vehicle, including its windshield.

Why does that matter?

The bill gives drivers the right to contest a ticket, thus creating a potential loophole by allowing someone to claim they were not driving the vehicle at the time of the infraction.

By comparison, other states using automated work zone cameras simply ticket the registered owner of the speeding vehicle, no questions asked.

Which Indiana Interstates & Highways Will Have Speed Cameras?

At present, we’re unsure where the pilot program speed cameras will be located, however, there are a number of roadways that are under continual construction and account for the most serious work zone-related car accidents.

In Matt’s experience, the following interstates, highways, and state roads have been the location for a majority of his investigations and case inquiries:

• I-65 – Many Hoosiers are familiar with the ever-changing landscape of I-65, especially those that travel greater distances, such as driving from Indianapolis to Chicago.
• I-74
• I-70 – A popular interstate path for semi-truck and out-of-state travelers, I-70 auto accidents are no stranger to Hoosiers.
• I-69
• SR 37 – We have covered construction dangers as well as other State Road 37 safety concerns in a past article.
• I-465 – Boulton Law Group has investigated a number of car and truck accidents on I-465.
• US 31

And while these interstates and state roads are some of the more congested and oft worked of Indiana’s roadways, construction will also continue to be present throughout our many small towns, busy urban areas, and side streets.

The potential for a work zone accident will always be present, no matter the location.

Questions About an Indiana Work Zone Accident?

If you or a loved one were injured in an Indiana roadwork zone, you may be entitled to significant compensation. To better understand your legal rights according to Indiana law, we encourage you to ask an attorney to review your potential claim and provide you with a free analysis.

Attorney Matt Boulton has investigated a number of incidents involving Indiana roadworkers. Knowing these cases can sometimes be high-profile, his 25+ years of personal injury legal experience helps to ensure clients are removed from the spotlight and focused solely on their recovery.

Boulton Law Group offers all Indiana roadworkers and their families a Zero Fee Guarantee. This means you will never pay for a legal review of your case, and you owe the firm absolutely nothing unless we are hired and your case is won.

For a free legal review and answers to your questions, please contact us by using the firm’s confidential, free contact form.