(September 7, 2012) – In an ongoing effort to enhance work zone safety and protect both work crews and drivers and passengers, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) today announced the addition of the US 15 work zone at Motter Avenue in Frederick into the Maryland SafeZones program. This automated speed enforcement program has proven to deter speeding and prevent crashes in work zones. 

Speed enforcement cameras will be deployed on US 15 on Tuesday, September 11.  A three-week warning period will continue through Monday, October 1.  Citations will be issued starting Tuesday, October 2.

Automated speed enforcement will continue through the end of the project, which is anticipated in fall 2014, weather permitting. The project includes replacement of the Motter Avenue bridge over US 15 with a wider and more pedestrian-friendly bridge; widening Motter Avenue and Opossumtown Pike; and modifying the exit from northbound US 15 to Motter Avenue for improved traffic flow. Preliminary work at the project site began in spring 2012.

Maryland SafeZones uses photography and laser tehnology to document speeders, and a Maryland State Police trooper later certifies the violations. For the first three weeks, warnings will be mailed to violators. After that, if a vehicle is recorded excessively speeding by 12 mph or more over the 55 mph speed limit, a $40 civil citation will be mailed to the registered owner.

Large signs in advance of the work zones alert drivers of automated speed enforcement use. Crews also place a radar-equipped sign that displays driver speeds, along with the posted speed limit, in advance of the enforcement vehicle.

The addition of the US 15 work zone brings the list to three work zones in Frederick County and 10 work zones statewide actively using the automated speed enforcement technology.  

SHA credits the SafeZones program for helping bring about a 10-year low in work zone-related crashes, fatalities and injuries in 2011. Since the program’s official launch in 2010, speeding violations in SafeZones construction sites have decreased by more than 80 percent. When the program was first introduced, approximately seven out of every 100 drivers in a work zone were exceeding the speed limit by 12 mph or more; currently less than two drivers out of every 100 are receiving citations for excessive speeding.

For more information on the Motter Avenue bridge replacement project, visit http://tinyurl.com/motterbridge. To learn more about the Maryland Safezones program, visit http://safezones.maryland.gov.

While SHA and its partners work hard to maintain safe traffic mobility in work zones, each driver needs to actively modify his or her driving style to help prevent crashes. 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!

Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org  for current travel information. Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely – Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.

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