Work Zone Speed Limit Laws

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

Often, this involves doubling the original fine for the same traffic violation outside of a construction zone. It can also be a fixed dollar amount. In some cases, the penalty is applicable only when workers are present and/or if signs are posted.

  • 26 states double the fine for speeding (or committing other traffic violations) in a work zone.
  • 34 states have increased fines soley for speeding. The rest increase fines for speeding and other traffic violations.
  • 24 states require workers to be present in the construction zone for the increased penalties to take effect.

State

Multiple of Original Fine

Violations Affected

Workers Must Be Present

Alabama

Double

Speeding

Yes

Alaska

Double

All

No

Arizona

Double

Speeding

Yes

Arkansas

Double

All moving traffic violations

Yes (and work zone signs must be posted)

California

Double

Various

Yes

Colorado

Double

Speeding

No

Connecticut

Double

All moving traffic violations

Yes

Delaware

Not less than double for a 1st offense

Various

No

D.C.

No data

Florida

Double

Speeding

Yes

Georgia

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

Speeding

Yes [work zone signs must be posted and either a) work zone personnel, or b) barriers, work vehicles or shoulder or pavement drop offs]

Hawaii

$250

Speeding

No

Idaho

$50

Speeding

No

Illinois

$375 for a 1st. offense, $1,000 for subsequent offenses

Speeding

No

Indiana

$0.50 plus $25 if ordered by judge

Speeding or failure to merge

No

Iowa

Double

All moving vehicle violations

No

Kansas

Double

All moving vehicle violations

No

Kentucky

Double

Speeding

No

Louisiana

1.5X

Speeding

Yes

Maine

Double

Speeding

No

Maryland

2X original max. fine;
Not more than $1,000

Speeding

No

Massachusetts

Double

Speeding

No

Michigan

Double

All moving vehicle violations

No

Minnesota

Double or fine plus $25 (whichever is greater)

Speeding

Yes

Mississippi

Up to double

Speeding

Yes

Missouri

Additional $35 for moving violation; additional $250 for speeding or passing

All moving vehicle violations

Yes, only for speeding violations

Montana

Double

All traffic violations

Yes

Nebraska

Double

Speeding

No

Nevada

Double (up to $1,000), 6 months jail time or 120 hours community services

Speeding

Yes

New Hampshire

$250-$500

Speeding

Yes

New Jersey

Double

All moving vehicle violations

No

New Mexico

Not more than $300 or up to 90 days in jail or both

All moving vehicle violations

No

New York

$90-$600 or up to 30 days in jail or both

Speeding

No

North Carolina

Additional $250

Speeding

No

North Dakota

Minimum $80

Speeding

Yes

Ohio

Double

Speeding

No, but must be during hours of actual work

Oklahoma

Double

Speeding

Yes

Oregon

Double

Various

No

Pennsylvania

Double

Various

Yes

Rhode Island

Double

Speeding

No

South Carolina

$75-$200 or not more than 30 days jail or both

Speeding

No

South Dakota

Double

Speeding

Yes

Tennessee

$250-$500

Speeding

Yes

Texas

Double minimum and maximum applicable

All moving vehicle violations

Yes

Utah

At least double

Speeding

Yes

Vermont

Double

Speeding

No

Virgin Islands

No data

Speeding

No data

Virginia

Not more than $500

Speeding

Yes

Washington

Double

Speeding

No

West Virginia

Not more than $200 or 20 days in jail or both

Speeding 15 or more mph over the speed limit

Yes

Wisconsin

Double minimum and maximum applicable

Various

Yes

Wyoming

An additional $100

Speeding

No

Total

50 States + Virgin Islands

Speeding: 34 States

24 States

Sources: National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and State Highway Safety Offices. Most recently reviewed July, 2008.