INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Transportation launched a new pilot program aimed at keeping drivers and construction workers safe across the state.
The program is called "Indiana Safe Zones." Over the next five years, INDOT will deploy camera technology in construction zones across central Indiana.
If a car is traveling more than 11 miles per hour above the posted speed limit, the system captures an image of the car's rear license plate. Signs will notify drivers that speed limits are being monitored by the cameras.
After the data is validated, violations will be issued to the owner of the vehicle. The first offense will result in a warning, followed by a $75 fine for the second offense and $150 for each violation thereafter. The warnings and fines will be sent through the mail.
Workers must be present at the worksite for the violations to be deemed valid, INDOT says.
The program will start Aug. 14 in the construction zone on Interstate 70 between the 95- and 105-mile markers in Hancock County. No violations will be issued during a pre-enforcement warning period, but offending drivers will receive courtesy warnings.
The program was created by HEA 1015 in the 2023 legislative session, which allows INDOT to deploy cameras in up to four worksites at any given time.
INDOT says these programs are proven to significantly improve work zone safety.
Two years after Maryland launched its program, speeding violations in construction sites fell by more than 80%, and worksite-related crashes were at their lowest in more than 10 years.