Work Zones

All states have laws that increase the penalties for speeding or committing other traffic violations while in a construction work zone.

Often, the enhanced penalty consists of doubling the applicable fine had the same traffic violation been committed outside a construction zone. It may also be a fixed dollar amount or a range. Some states vary the penalty depending on whether it is a first or subsequent offense.

In many states, the enhanced penalty is applicable only when workers are present and/or if signs are posted.

  • All states have some form of enhanced penalty for committing traffic violations in a work zone.
  • 24 states and D.C. require workers to be present in the construction zone for the increased penalties to take effect.
  • 42 states and D.C. indicate that signs must be posted to alert drivers of the enhanced penalties.

NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on work zone traffic laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.

Sources: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and State Highway Safety Offices.

  • Alabama

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Alaska

    Violations Affected

    All

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • Arizona

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Arkansas

    Violations Affected

    All moving traffic violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • California

    Violations Affected

    Various

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Colorado

    Violations Affected

    All

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • Connecticut

    Violations Affected

    All moving traffic violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Delaware

    Violations Affected

    Various

    Enhanced Penalties

    At least double original fine for 1st offense

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • District of Columbia

    Violations Affected

    All moving violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Florida

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Georgia

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $100-$2,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Either work zone personnel, or barriers, work vehicles or shoulder or pavement drop offs

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Hawaii

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $250

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • Idaho

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $50

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Illinois

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $375 for 1st offense; $1,000 for all subsequent offenses

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Indiana

    Violations Affected

    Aggressive Driving

    Reckless Driving

    Criminal Recklessness

    Enhanced Penalties

    $300 for 1st offense

    $500 for 2nd offense

    $1,000 for 3rd offense within 3 years

    Felony aggravation for intentional or reckless damage or injury caused in work zones

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Iowa

    Violations Affected

    All moving vehicle violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine (up to $1,000)

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Kansas

    Violations Affected

    All moving vehicle violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Kentucky

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Louisiana

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • Maine

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Maryland

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Up to $1,000

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Massachusetts

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Michigan

    Violations Affected

    All moving vehicle violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine and at least 3 points

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Minnesota

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine (minimum $300)

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Mississippi

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Up to $250 for 1st offense

    Double original fine for subsequent offenses

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Missouri

    Violations Affected

    Speeding or passing

    Endangerment of a highway worker

    Enhanced Penalties

    Speeding or passing: Additional $250 for 1st offense; additional $300 for subsequent offenses

    Endangerment of a highway worker: Up to $10,000 fine and loss of license

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Montana

    Violations Affected

    All

    Enhanced Penalties

    Minimum double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Nebraska

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Nevada

    Violations Affected

    Various

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine (up to $1,000), 6 months jail time, or 120 hours of community service

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • New Hampshire

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $250-$500

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • New Jersey

    Violations Affected

    All moving vehicle violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • New Mexico

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • New York

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Doubled fines in work zones. Ranges $90-$600 or up to 30 days in jail, or both.

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • North Carolina

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Additional $250 plus court costs

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • North Dakota

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Minimum $80

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Ohio

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Must be during hours of actual work

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Oklahoma

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Oregon

    Violations Affected

    Various

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine (few exceptions)

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • Pennsylvania

    Violations Affected

    Various

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Rhode Island

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • South Carolina

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $75-$200 or up to 30 days in jail, or both

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • South Dakota

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine (up to $500) or 30 days in jail, or both

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Tennessee

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    $250-$500

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Texas

    Violations Affected

    All moving vehicle violations

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Utah

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Minimum double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Vermont

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Virgin Islands

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    No data

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No data

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No data

  • Virginia

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Up to $500

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Washington

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • West Virginia

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Up to $200 or 20 days in jail, or both

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes

  • Wisconsin

    Violations Affected

    Disobeying a traffic sign or signal

    Speeding/Unreasonable and imprudent speed/Too fast for conditions

    Reckless driving

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Yes

    Signs Must Be Present?

    No

  • Wyoming

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Varies

    Workers Must Be Present?

    No

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes