“The goal of this legislation is to safeguard the men and women who work on repairing our roads and infrastructure in order to make them safer and more efficient for motorists. In return, it is our duty and obligation to ensure that they have the ability to do so in a secure manner,” stated Argall.
Senate Bill 172 would establish a three-year pilot program for PennDOT to utilize speed cameras in active work zones on limited access highways in order to examine whether or not the additional $100 fine motorists would incur if they commit a violation within the automated speed enforcement zone would compel them to slow down when entering and passing through a construction work zone.
Remaining fines collected during the three-year trial period would be distributed to the State Police, PennDOT, Turnpike Commission and Motor License Fund.
According to data from PennDOT there were 2,075 crashes and 16 fatalities that occurred within work zones last year.
“Children of the men and women who work to improve our roads shouldn’t have to wonder if their parents are going to come home,” Schwank said. “This legislation will make work a little safer for them, and for the motorists who drive through work zones.”
Senate Bill 172 will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration.