Work zone speed cameras in Pennsylvania will begin limited operation next week ahead of their statewide use early next year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Wednesday.
Two cameras will initially be deployed — one in the Pennsylvania Turnpike system and another on Interstate 78 in Berks County. Violators won't be issued warnings or tickets for the first 60 days of the pilot program.
There will eventually be 17 cameras deployed throughout the state, according to PennDOT.
The new law calls for cameras to record license plates of anyone going more than 11 mph above the limit while workers are present.
Violators will get a written warning the first time, followed by fines of $75 and $150 for subsequent offenses.
"The Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program isn’t about issuing violations. It’s about saving lives," PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said.
Last year, there were more than 1,800 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania. Twenty three people died, according to PennDOT.
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Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 89 workers in the line of duty and the PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945, according to the transportation agency.
"When a crash occurs in an active work zone, it's just as likely to result in death or injury to a driver or passenger inside that vehicle," PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. "If not for these workers in an active work zone, I ask you to slow down for yourself and other travelers."
