Consequences for Speeding in a Construction Zone

When workers, heavy equipment, large trucks, and other vehicles are present, a road construction zone can be a dangerous place to pass through safely. Speeding elevates the risk of construction zone crashes. That is why it is crucial to slow down and remain alert for lane changes, merging vehicles, and sudden traffic backups when driving through a construction zone. 

Despite the signs warning motorists to reduce their speed in the construction zone, many drivers fail to slow down. Driving too fast for traffic and road conditions increases the risk of serious accidents.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one because another driver was speeding in a construction zone, contact the Indiana injury lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC right away. We’ve been protecting the rights of those who have been hurt in our community for more than two decades. Our client testimonials can attest to our commitment. 

With five office locations in Indiana, we’ll be ready to help you understand your legal options if you’ve been hurt in a construction zone accident. For a free consultation, call us 24 hours a day at (800) 746-0226 or reach out to us online.

Construction Zone Signs

Signs alert motorists in Indiana that they are approaching a construction zone. The sign may warn of the conditions that drivers will encounter such as uneven pavement, narrowed lanes, closed lanes, or detours. It’s crucial for drivers to know when they are approaching a roadwork zone so they can exercise adequate caution.

Some of the most common construction zone signs include:

• Road Work Ahead and Work Crews Ahead – These signs are normally diamond-shaped and have a black symbol or message. 
• Detour Signs – These signs will indicate a change in route to redirect traffic. The signs will have an orange arrow on a black background pointing in the direction drivers should take to navigate around the construction work.
• Added Penalties – These signs warn motorists about enhanced fines and penalties for disregarding reduced speed limits and speeding in work zones. 
• Flagger Ahead – When a flagger or flag vehicle is present in a work zone, there typically will be signs with a picture of a flagger or text indicating that a worker will be in the roadway, directing traffic.
• Right Lane Closed – In many work zones, the flow of traffic will be altered. When road construction crews need to close a lane, they will usually post signs warning drivers of a lane merger ahead.

Construction Zone Speed Limit

Speeding in a construction zone puts the driver, other motorists, and road workers in danger. That’s why the speed limit will usually be reduced significantly. In Indiana, the speed limit will usually be reduced to 45 miles per hour or lower in some situations. Drivers have more time to react and avoid collisions at slower speeds.

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, reducing your speed from 65 mph to 45 mph will only add one minute to your trip through a two-mile construction zone. 

Construction Zone Safety

It’s everyone’s responsibility to act cautiously around work zones. To protect yourself and others: 

• Watch for changing conditions. In a construction zone, there may be changes to the road surface, lanes may merge or narrow, and the speed limit may be reduced. Keep an eye out for construction zone signs and adjust your driving accordingly. 
• Obey the speed limit. Construction zone speed limits exist to keep everyone safe. Speeding and aggressive driving are two common causes of work zone accidents. 
• Maintain a safe following distance in case the vehicle in front stops suddenly. It’s crucial to maintain enough room on all sides of your vehicle.
• Follow instructions given by flaggers. 
• Expect delays and adjust your schedule accordingly. 
• Avoid distractions – It’s never a good idea when driving to use your phone, eat or drink, or allow other distractions to divert your attention from the road. It’s particularly important to be alert when driving through a construction zone since traffic conditions can change unexpectedly. 

Risks of Speeding in a Construction Zone

Speeding is dangerous, even when road conditions are normal. Speeding in a construction zone increases the risk of an accident significantly. According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, speeding is a major source of crashes on Indiana roads.

Drivers who exceed the speed limit in a construction zone may face a speeding ticket with enhanced penalties and an increase in auto insurance premiums.

Construction Zone Laws in Indiana

The Indiana Work Safety Law sets severe penalties for driving infractions in construction zones. On top of the usual fines and points against a driver’s license, the state of Indiana allows law enforcement officers to issue additional fines.

A speeding driver in a roadwork zone puts at risk the lives of construction workers and other drivers. If a driver speeds in a construction zone, the driver may face fines up to $1,000 for the first three offenses. 

A first time offender for speeding in a work zone faces a $300 fine. This increases to $500 for the second offense, and $1000 for the third time a driver violates the law in a work zone within three years. Drivers who drive recklessly or operate their vehicle aggressively could face a $5000 fine.

In addition, special rules may apply if a speeding driver injures or kills workers in a construction zone. That could result in a $10,000 fine and criminal charges carrying up to six years in jail upon conviction.

 A person seriously injured by another driver’s disregard for safety in a construction zone should not have to shoulder the cost of medical care and lost income. The negligent driver should be held accountable. 

A driver who speeds in a construction zone and injures or kills someone also may be held financially accountable by those who have been harmed. The victim of a construction zone accident or the family of those killed in a construction zone accident in Indiana may be entitled to file a civil lawsuit and pursue justice and accountability.

Injured in a Construction Zone? Contact Our Experienced Attorneys in Indiana

If you’ve been injured in a construction zone crash caused by another motorist, get in touch with the fearless and experienced attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. We founded our firm to help injured people and their families recover from accidents. We’ll be ready to fight for you. 

If you have been injured by a speeding driver in a construction zone, call us at (800) 746-0226 or contact us online now. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC is here to help you.