This is Work Zone Awareness Week in Indiana, marking the ceremonial start to highway construction season and intends to draw awareness to motorist and worker safety.
More than $1.3 billion will be invested in construction projects to build and maintain Indiana’s highways this year. As INDOT increases its focus on preservation, drivers will see more work on existing state highway roads and bridges. INDOT’s goal is to maximize both the safety and mobility of motorists and workers while maintaining as much access as possible to businesses, residents and emergency services.
INDOT is dedicated to continuously improving work zone safety for workers and motorists. Last year, 11 people were killed and more than 600 people were injured in Indiana highway work zones. Most of these injuries and deaths are caused by rear-end collisions, following too closely or making improper lane changes.
Motorists face fines of up to $1000 for speeding, up to $5000 for driving recklessly or aggressively, and up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to eight years for injuring or killing a worker. These fines are used to fund additional Indiana State Police work zone patrols.
Indiana State Police have 11 white pickup trucks patrolling in and around highway work zones across Indiana. Motorists are urged to comply with posted and reduced speed limits in construction zones to promote safety for the highway workers as well as the motoring public.
