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Work zone tickets can wreak havoc on your finances and your driving record. That’s because most jurisdictions increase penalties for things like speeding tickets when they take place in a work zone, sometimes even doubling the cost of the ticket.
What Is a Work Zone?
Governments of specific states and counties can define or describe “work zones” legally in a couple of different ways. However, the most common definition of a work zone in traffic law is any temporarily restricted driving area where road crews, construction workers, maintenance personnel, etc. are working.
Work Zone Driving Statistics
The data surrounding traffic in work zones shows that there is a significantly increased risk of death in a car accident in work zones than out of them. Between 2018 and 2019, in fact, the number of fatal car accidents in work zones increased by 11% while the number of fatal car accidents outside of work zones decreased by 2%.
Data from 2019 also show that, on average, more than two people die in fatal car accidents in work zones every single day. Car accidents in work zones are so common, in fact, that the majority (60%) of highway contractors report having witnessed a car crash in their work zone while working.
The increased likelihood of a car accident taking place in a work zone combined with the increased likelihood of a car accident to be fatal in a work zone are two of the largest reasons why courts are often so adamant about penalizing drivers who drive dangerously in work zones.
How Much Are Tickets for Speeding in a Work Zone?
Courts in counties all over the country have imposed additional penalties for certain types of violations and traffic tickets that occur within work zones. Those penalties range from small fine increased to substantially more imposing penalties.
The table below shows the penalties associated with certain types of work zone traffic tickets in each state:
| State | Fine |
| Alabama | $20-40 for driving 25 mph or less over the speed limit. $40-80 for driving over 25 mph |
| Alaska | Maximum $300 and 2- 6 points |
| Arizona | |
| Arkansas | A fine of up to $500, up to 3 months in jail, and/or a suspended license |
| California | $367 for going 1 to 15 mph over the limit, $525 for going 16 to 25 mph over the limit, and $648 for going more than 26 mph over the limit |
| Colorado | |
| Connecticut | A driver will get a warning for a first violation. A second violation will result in a $75 fine and a third infraction will result in a $150 fine |
| Delaware | Under state law, a speeding ticket starts at a $20 fine, with $1 added for each mile over the posted speed limit, which is 45 mph in the work zone. With state fees for public safety programs added, the minimum ticket would be $74.50 |
| Florida | $131 for traveling 1 to 9 miles per hour over the speed limit ($156 in a construction or school zone) $206 for 10 to 14 mph over the speed limit ($306 in a construction or school zone) $256 for 15 to 19 mph over the speed limit ($406 in a construction or school zone) |
| Georgia | This traffic violation is classified as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature. Even if there are no workers present at the time, you could end up paying fines of up to $2,000 and may be sentenced to a year in jail |
| Hawaii | $250 plus a surcharge of $100 |
| Idaho | 4 points |
| Illinois | The fines for speeding in a construction or maintenance work zone are a minimum of $375 for the first offense and a minimum of $1000 for the second offense. If the second offense is within two years of the first offense, the Secretary of State shall suspend the driver’s license for a period of 90 days |
| Indiana | First time citations for speeding in a work zone result in a $300 fine. The fine increases to $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense within three years |
| Iowa | $150 for up to 10 mph over the posted speed limit. $300 for speeds from 11 through 20 mph over the posted speed limit. $500 for speeds from 21 through 25 mph over the posted speed limit |
| Kansas | |
| Kentucky | |
| Louisiana | |
| Maine | |
| Maryland | A work zone speed camera ticket in Maryland carries a $40 fine and is issued if a vehicle exceeds the posted work zone speed limit by 12 mph or more. The cameras operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so even when workers are not present drivers could still get ticketed |
| Massachusetts | The fines for driving too fast in a construction zone begin at $100. The officer or Massachusetts State Trooper will also add an additional $20 for each m.p.h. in excess of 10 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit |
| Michigan | Currently under the law, a person who commits a moving violation that has criminal penalties, and as a result causes injury to a person working in the construction zone is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both |
| Minnesota | A minimum fine of $300 applies for speeding in a work zone when workers are present or a lane is closed |
| Mississippi | A first offense by a fine of not more than $250.00; and for second, third and subsequent offenses by a fine of double the maximum fine imposed for second, third or subsequent offenses |
| Missouri | The act provides that a person who is convicted of speeding or passing a vehicle within a work zone when a highway worker is present a second or subsequent time shall be assessed a fine of $300 in addition to any other fine authorized by law |
| Montana | |
| Nebraska | These are regular fines. They double in work zones If you drive 1-5 miles per hour over the speed limit, you face a fine of $10.For driving 5-9 miles per hour over the speed limit, you face a fine of $25.If you drove 10-14 miles per hour over the speed limit, the fine is $75.For driving 15-19 miles per hour over the speed limit, you face a fine of $125.Driving 20-34 miles per hour over the speed limit will result in a fine of $200.Finally, if caught driving 35 or more miles over the speed limit, the fine is $300 |
| Nevada | If the speeding is charged as a crime, the penalty can only be up to $1,000 in fines, 6 months in jail at most, or up to 120 hours of community service. If the speeding is charged as a civil infraction, the additional penalty for being in a work zone cannot exceed $250 |
| New Hampshire | Fined not less than $250 nor more than $500 |
| New Jersey | Double regular speeding fines |
| New Mexico | Double regular speeding fines |
| New York | A New York speeding in a work zone ticket costs between $90 and $600. Specifically, it costs $90-$150 for going 1 mph to 10 mph over the limit; $180-$300 for going 11 mph to 30 mph over; and $360-$600 for going 31+ mph over. The minimum fine is double that of a standard speeding ticket |
| North Carolina | The minimum fine for speeding in a work zone is $250. Depending on the speed, a revocation may also be imposed |
| North Dakota | Speeding in construction zones would be an $80 minimum fine, plus the speeding fine and penalty |
| Ohio | 11-15 MPH over speed limit: $151; $172 in a construction zone. 16-20 MPH over speed limit: $157; $184 in a construction zone. 21-25 MPH over speed limit: $171; $212 in a construction zone |
| Oklahoma | |
| Oregon | $875 and possible 30 day license suspension |
| Pennsylvania | For a first violation, the notice carries no financial penalty and is a written warning. For a second violation, the notice carries a $75 fine. For third and all subsequent violations, the notice carries a $150 fine |
| Rhode Island | |
| South Carolina | $200 fine and 30 day imprisonment |
| South Dakota | $34- $382.50 fine |
| Tennessee | |
| Texas | Fines double from reg speeding ticket |
| Utah | Mph and Fine1-10 – $12011-15 – $15016-20 – $ 20021-25 – $ 27026-30 – $37031+ – $470 (additional $10 for every mph over 31) |
| Vermont | |
| Virginia | Max $500 |
| Washington | Drivers who speed through this zone pay a minimum $250 fine for exceeding the posted 35 mile an hour construction zone speed limit. That fine goes up as speeds increase |
| West Virginia | Up to $200 or 20 days in jail, or both |
| Wisconsin | As of 2019, violations including court costs are $162.70 first offense and $200.50 second offense. Note that fines are subject to change in accordance with Uniform Traffic Deposit Schedule |
| Wyoming | 26 mph or more. $460.00 |
What to Do in a Work Zone
State and local governments often change the rules of the road when you’re driving in a work zone. Although these laws vary from place to place, here is a list of general requirements that you should satisfy when driving through a work zone in any jurisdiction:
- Expect the Unexpected
It’s common for road crews to drop something, break something, or otherwise wind up with equipment or people falling into the road. Expect the unexpected and you just might have the reaction time necessary to avoid a collision.
- Slow Down
The most common law pertaining to work zones is a speed reduction. You might see temporary speed limit signs that reduce the speed limit to well below what you’re used to. Listen to them, reduce your speed, and drive safely.
- Don’t Tailgate
Tailgating is a ticketable offense in many locations. Also known as “following too closely,” tailgating can be particularly dangerous in work zones. If you leave too little space to react when the car in front of you swerves to avoid an accident, you will quite likely find yourself causing the accident they avoided.
- Keep a Safe Distance from Workers
If there are multiple open lanes to your left and there are workers on the right side of the road, merge lanes to keep as much distance between them and you as possible. However, keep in mind that the leftmost lane is reserved for passing vehicles. Do not drive too slowly in that lane or you could potentially get a ticket.
- Pay Attention to Signs
Work zones are often marked by signs that indicate where the zone begins and ends, the zone’s speed limit, and more. Keep an eye out for these signs.
- Obey the Flaggers
Flaggers are the people who wave signs or otherwise direct the flow of traffic through work zones. If they say to stop, you are legally required to stop. If they say to go, you should go.
- Stay Alert
This is a requirement of driving anywhere, but it is particularly important in work zones. Stay alert and keep an eye out for any cross traffic, spillage, loose equipment, etc.
- Stay Calm
Although there are people all over the road and plenty of loud machines roaring nearby, you should be sure to keep your cool. Drive slowly, drive safely, and avoid getting a work zone ticket—or worse, an accident.
- Read Signs
If you see any signs along the road, read them. That includes temporary speed limit signs, yield signs, slow signs, work zone signs, and much more.
