Iowa Enforcing Higher Work Zone Speeding Fines
Fines for speeding in a highway work zone increased July 1, and the state's Department of Transportation is now erecting signs on major roads warning drivers of the change. The new fines are $150 for up to 10 mph over the posted speed limit; $300 for speeds 11-20 mph over the posted limit; $500 for speeds 21-25 over the posted limit; and $1,000 for speeds more than 25 mph over the posted limit.
The law also doubles fines for moving violations other than speeding in a work zone. The law applies to state, county, and city public roads and to both public road workers and road workers employed by contractors.
Several organizations united to see the law passed and signed on April 25; they included Iowa DOT, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Iowa Council 61, Associated General Contractors of Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The bill was drafted after Iowa DOT Director Nancy Richardson visited her department's maintenance facilities and heard from employees who had narrowly escaped injuries while working on highway projects. One employee, Bob Hubbard from the Grimes, Iowa, maintenance garage, told a legislative committee's members that he had been struck by moving vehicles four times during 18 years of work as a highway technician with the department. "My biggest concern is, will I be able to walk away the fifth time," Hubbard said. The department is installing 243 signs.
A new American Traffic Safety Services Association brochure explaining when high-visibility safety apparel should be replaced is available at www.atssa.com/galleries/rsti/Brochure%20on%20Decommissioning%20High%20Visibility%20Apparel%20-%20FINAL%20for%20Printing%200308.pdf.