HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A new highway safety law aiming to protect road construction and maintenance workers goes into effect on July 1, the Alabama Department of Transportation is warning drivers.
Starting Thursday, July 1, moving traffic violations committed in a construction zone while workers are present will result in either a $250 fine or double the regular fine, whichever is the greater amount.
In an additional effort to keep road construction and maintenance workers safe, ALDOT announced there will be no temporary lane closures on interstates after 12 p.m. on Friday, July 2, through Monday, July 5, at 11:59 p.m.
“As underscored by the recent change to our highway laws, unsafe driving in work zones can be life-altering and sometimes life-ending,” said ALDOT Drive Safe Alabama Coordinator Allison Green. “It’s to everyone’s advantage to slow down and follow the rules of the road when driving through a work zone.”
According to ALDOT, preliminary numbers for 2020 show there were 2,378 work zone crashes in the state, resulting in 19 deaths and 616 injuries.
“The law calls them workers, some may call them employees, but it’s more important we recognize they are moms, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters that need to be able to go home to their families,” said Jeff Webb with Ozark Striping Company, Inc. and current president of ARBA. “We believe this law will help bring change to driver’s unsafe driving habits.”
The increased fines don't just impact speeding, but also DUIs, hit and runs, changing lanes without signaling among other violations.
ALDOT provided the following tips to help keep you and road workers safe:
- Drive alert. Don’t drive distracted by texting, eating or other activities that take your hands off the wheel. Look for highway workers, reduced speed limits and changes to the roadway.
- Move over. Give workers more space if the roadway allows.
- Don’t tailgate. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.