(October 5, 2010) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) and Maryland State Police (MSP) will deploy speed enforcement through the SafeZones program on southbound US 15 just north of the Hayward Road intersection in Frederick County beginning as early as Wednesday, October 6. The goal of the SafeZones speed camera program is to reduce vehicle speeds and make construction zones safer for workers and motorists. Through the end of August, statewide more than 118,500 citations have been issued in work zones as part of the program.
Large warning signs will be placed in advance of the work zone on southbound US 15 to alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use. “Speed trailers” will also display the posted speed limit and drivers’ speeds in advance of the enforcement vehicle. The posted speed through the work zone will be 45 mph. Warnings will be sent to violators for the first three weeks.
Additionally, weather permitting, the speed limit will be permanently reduced from 55 mph to 50 mph this Wednesday between Biggs Ford Road and MD 26, a distance of approximately three miles. The speed limit reduction is part of an overall effort to improve safety by reducing high-speed vehicles traveling south along US 15.
Maryland SafeZones mobile enforcement vehicles using laser technology will continue to rotate among eligible work zones throughout the State. In addition to the location on southbound US 15, other locations using the mobile speed cameras in work zones include: I-95 between MD 198 and MD 212 (ICC work zone) in Prince George’s County, I-695 at Charles Street in Baltimore County, I-695 at Liberty Road in Baltimore County and the I-95 Electronic Toll Lane (ETL) project in northeastern Baltimore County.
The law allowing automated speed enforcement was passed during the 2009 legislative session and became effective October 1, 2009. Transportation Article §21–810 allows law enforcement to use speed cameras to fine drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 12 mph or more in work zones along controlled access roadways with a 45 mph or more speed limit.
“The goal of the SafeZones program is to change driver behavior and create a safe working environment for our workers who have little protection in highway work zones,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “Statistics gathered from other automated speed enforcement locations are proving that drivers are slowing down as much as five to seven mph through some of our work zones. With more than four out of every five work zone crashes injuring the driver, not the worker, we must do everything we can to implore drivers to slow down all the time, especially through work zones .”
Even when workers are not present, work zones can be dangerous due to reduced lane width, barrier walls, uneven pavement and modified signage placement. On average, 12 people are killed per year and nearly 1,500 people injured in crashes in work zones in Maryland.
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