Warning Period Began This Week; Citations Begin Monday, March 7

(February 19, 2016) – In an ongoing effort to improve work zone safety, the Maryland State Police (MSP) and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will deploy the Maryland SafeZones Automated Speed Enforcement system along northbound and southbound US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) at MD 304 (Ruthsburg Road) in Queen Anne’s County.

Maryland SafeZones automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras are deployed along US 301 within the interchange construction project at MD 304. After a 21-day warning period, MSP will authorize citations starting Monday, March 7. The speed limit in the work zone is posted at 55 mph. Drivers excessively speeding by 12 or more miles over the speed limit, or 67 mph or more, face a $40 civil citation.

Maryland SafeZones supports SHA, MSP and Maryland Transportation Authority Police (MDTA) in the statewide effort to improve work zone safety. Mobile enforcement vehicles rotate among designated construction zones along controlled-access highways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or higher. Large signs are in place in advance of the work zones to alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use. Crews will also place a “speed trailer” to display the posted speed limit and drivers’ speeds in advance of the enforcement vehicle.

Where SafeZones has been deployed, speeding violations have decreased by more than 90 percent. ASE is currently deployed in nine other work zones in the State. For more information, please visit www.safezones.maryland.gov.

The $45 million construction for a new interchange along US 301 (Blue Star Memorial Highway) at MD 304 (Ruthsburg Road) replaces an existing intersection and began in fall 2014.  The new interchange includes a two-lane bridge carrying MD 304 over US 301. Two single-lane roundabouts will be built along MD 304 on either side of the new bridge to safely guide drivers through the interchange. The project includes a new 25-space paved ridesharing lot in the northwest corner of the interchange, along with bicycle-compatible shoulders on the MD 304 Bridge to provide safe passage for cyclists and pedestrians.

When driving through work zones, please stay alert – look for reduced speed limits, narrow driving lanes and highway workers. Slow down and don't follow too closely. Safer Driving. Safer Work Zones. For Everyone!