Work Zone Speed Limit Laws

November 2009

All states have laws that increase the penalties for speeding or committing other traffic violations while in a construction work zone.

Often, this involves doubling the original fine for the same traffic violation outside of a construction zone. It can also be a fixed dollar amount. In some cases, the penalty is applicable only when workers are present and/or if signs are posted.

  • 26 states double the fine for speeding (or committing other traffic violations) in a work zone.
  • 34 states have increased fines soley for speeding. The rest increase fines for speeding and other traffic violations.
  • 24 states require workers to be present in the construction zone for the increased penalties to take effect.

 

 

State

Multiple of Original Fine

Violations Affected

Workers Must Be Present
Alabama Double Speeding Yes
Alaska Double All No
Arizona Double Speeding Yes
Arkansas Double All moving traffic violations Yes (and work zone signs must be posted)
California Double Various Yes
Colorado Double Speeding No
Connecticut Double All moving traffic violations Yes

Delaware

 Not less than double for a 1st offense Various No
D.C. No data
Florida Double Speeding Yes
Georgia $100-$2,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail Speeding Yes [work zone signs must be posted and either a) work zone personnel, or b) barriers, work vehicles or shoulder or pavement drop offs]
Hawaii $250 Speeding No
Idaho $50 Speeding No
Illinois $375 for a 1st. offense, $1,000 for subsequent offenses Speeding No
Indiana $0.50 plus $25 if ordered by judge Speeding or failure to merge No
Iowa Double All moving vehicle violations No
Kansas Double All moving vehicle violations No
Kentucky Double Speeding No
Louisiana 1.5X Speeding Yes
Maine Double Speeding No
Maryland 2X original max. fine;
Not more than $1,000		 Speeding No
Massachusetts Double Speeding No
Michigan Double All moving vehicle violations No
Minnesota Double or fine plus $25 (whichever is greater) Speeding

 Yes
Mississippi Up to double Speeding Yes
Missouri Additional $35 for moving violation; additional $250 for speeding or passing All moving vehicle violations Yes, only for speeding violations
Montana Double All traffic violations Yes
Nebraska Double Speeding No
Nevada Double (up to $1,000), 6 months jail time or 120 hours community services Speeding Yes
New Hampshire $250-$500 Speeding Yes
New Jersey Double All moving vehicle violations No
New Mexico Not more than $300 or up to 90 days in jail or both All moving vehicle violations No
New York $90-$600 or up to 30 days in jail or both Speeding No
North Carolina Additional $250 Speeding No
North Dakota Minimum $80 Speeding

 Yes
Ohio Double Speeding No, but must be during hours of actual work
Oklahoma Double Speeding Yes
Oregon Double Various No
Pennsylvania Double Various

 Yes
Rhode Island Double Speeding No
South Carolina $75-$200 or not more than 30 days jail or both Speeding No
South Dakota Double Speeding Yes
Tennessee $250-$500 Speeding Yes
Texas Double minimum and maximum applicable All moving vehicle violations Yes
Utah At least double Speeding Yes
Vermont Double Speeding No
Virgin Islands No data Speeding No data
Virginia Not more than $500 Speeding Yes
Washington Double Speeding No
West Virginia Not more than $200 or 20 days in jail or both Speeding 15 or more mph over the speed limit Yes
Wisconsin Double minimum and maximum applicable Various Yes
Wyoming An additional $100 Speeding No
Total 50 States + Virgin Islands Speeding: 34 States 24 States

Sources: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and State Highway Safety Offices.