Kentucky motorists will soon have another reason to observe the speed limit in work zones. State Transportation Cabinet spokesman Allen Blair said in the next few weeks, workers will begin deploying radar and camera systems offering real-time information to state and local police.
“The live information from the cameras and the radar unit will be transmitted live to an officer that's past the work zone to consider making the traffic stop.”
Blair said drivers will be notified.
“In each of these work zones where this equipment will be, will be a sign that indicates there is photo enforcement, automated enforcement being done, and it will be a flashing sign to adequately warn all drivers as they move through that work zone.”
The Jared Lee Helton Act is named for a highway worker from Magoffin County fatally injured by a vehicle in a Tennessee work zone six years ago. According to the cabinet, last year, there were more than 1,200 work zone crashes, resulting in nearly 300 injuries and seven deaths. Blair said the law’s aim is to reduce those numbers – not hand out $500 work zone speeding tickets.
“We would just absolutely love it if we didn't give out any tickets, but people slowed down and we saw a reduction in crashes, a reduction in injuries and no fatalities. This is one tool that we're hopefully going to use to help slow the traffic and save lives.”
Blair said the information police receive will not be stored.
