New law sees drivers fined $4,000 – they could even be arrested if they ignore the ’20 miles per hour rule’

A US state has made changes to a traffic law that provides for fines for drivers for not respecting speed limits established in construction zones.

The law was changed late last year and will impose a steep fine of $1,250 for a first offense.

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Texas lawmakers want drivers to know they are serious about cracking down on those who fail to slow down in construction zones for roadside workers.

The Lone Star State consistently tops the charts as one of the most dangerous states for highway workers, with a high rate of work zone fatalities, according to FVF Law.

Serious changes to “Move and Slow Down” Law will see heavier fines for violators.

If caught, drivers cannot be fined up to $4,000 for endangering workers and failing to obey the “20 mph rule” when passing.

A misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine would be added if the violation resulted in property damage.

Additionally, a driver will be charged with a Class B misdemeanor if a bodily injury results from the violation, raising possible charges of up to $2,000.

In extreme cases, drivers may even spend time behind bars.

The law states that drivers must travel in one lane when passing through a construction zone to give workers a safe space to work.

If drivers fail to merge, they will need to drive 20mph below the posted speed limit or face a fine.

On roads where the posted speed limit is 40 km/h or less, drivers are expected to reduce their travel speed to 8 km/h.

The law also applies to passing police vehicles during a traffic stop, tow trucks, utility vehicles, first responder vehicles, and TxDOT vehicles with overhead lights.

The law was initially passed in 2003 and applied only to law enforcement, fire and emergency or medical service vehicles.

Now covers utility vehicles and TxDOT vehicles to protect road workers.

TxDOT website says the law is essential to keeping workers safe, as the last day without a death on Texas roads as a result of speeding cars was November 7, 2000.

By keeping speeds low and moving around whenever possible, the agency says drivers can end the string of daily deaths of highway workers in Texas.

Texas work zone fatalities

TxDOT has five strategies to avoid causing an accident in the work zone

In Texas, more than 26,000 car accidents have occurred in TxDOT work zones, resulting in nearly 200 deaths and more than 800 serious injuries. Of these 190 deaths, 77 percent of the fatalities were drivers and their passengers, and two workers died.

The agency said speeding, distracted driving and lack of space for workers when merging lanes were the top three reasons for accidents in the work zone.

Here’s how Texans can avoid causing an accident:

1. Obey posted speed limits in work zones. The new law says drivers must slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. If roads have a speed limit of 40 km/h or less, slow down to 8 km/h.
2. Avoid distractions. Pay attention when driving in an active work zone.
3. Move whenever possible to give workers space.
4. Be patient – ​​passing through work zones may take longer. Plan accordingly to avoid work zones when possible.

Source: TxDOT

Phil Wilson, the executive director of TxDOT, said he is pleased that the state is inflicting harsher penalties for risking workers’ lives.

“We are pleased that the Legislature recognizes the dangers our employees face every day as they work to maintain and build the state’s vast highway network,” Wilson said in a September statement.

He also mentioned that since 1938, more than 100 TxDOT workers have been killed in construction zones by speeders.

With the threat of a $1,250 first-offense charge and possible jail time, he said change could be coming.

“We are hopeful that this new protection for our crews will lead to fewer preventable deaths and injuries,” he said.