News Summary
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announces automated speed enforcement cameras in highway work zones to enhance safety for drivers and construction workers. Following the Jared Lee Helton Act, the cameras aim to reduce speeding incidents, which led to over 1,300 work zone crashes last year, resulting in fatalities and injuries. Initial installations will occur on key highways, with the program focusing on protecting lives and encouraging safer driving behaviors. Law enforcement will issue citations, reinforcing the commitment to enhanced safety measures across the state.
Frankfort
In an effort to enhance safety for both drivers and construction workers, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has announced the implementation of automated speed enforcement cameras in highway work zones throughout the state. This initiative follows the passage of House Bill 664, which was signed into law earlier this year and named the Jared Lee Helton Act in memory of a highway worker who lost his life in a work zone accident.
The speed cameras will function similarly to radar guns, monitoring vehicle speeds within designated work zones. To ensure compliance, law enforcement officers will be stationed nearby, ready to conduct traffic stops based on violations detected by these automated systems. If drivers are caught speeding, they will receive citations in person, with fines that could reach as high as $500.
Governor Andy Beshear has emphasized the seriousness of speeding in work zones, noting that it can lead to tragic outcomes. The need for improved safety measures is underscored by data from last year, which recorded over 1,300 work zone crashes in Kentucky, resulting in seven fatalities and 185 injuries. A significant portion of these incidents involved drivers or passengers, highlighting the urgent need for stricter enforcement of speed limits.
The deployment of the speed cameras is set to begin in the summer and fall of this year, with plans for eventual statewide expansion. Initially, four camera devices will be installed, targeting specific locations including one along Interstate 64 in Shelby County, one in the Lexington area, and additional sites in eastern and south-central Kentucky. Each work zone with automated enforcement will display clear signage with flashing lights to alert drivers to the presence of speed cameras.
According to Transportation Secretary Jim Gray, this initiative is part of a broader commitment to ensure that all Kentuckians reach their destinations safely. The automated speed cameras will be programmed to alert users if they exceed speeds more than 10 mph over the posted limit. Importantly, the law stipulates that only police officers can issue citations, eliminating the potential for receiving tickets through mail or text notifications.
Major Eric Walker of the Kentucky State Police has reiterated that the primary goal of the program is not merely to issue tickets but to prevent fatalities and reduce risks for both motorists and construction crews. The enforcement of speed limits through automated means is expected to increase awareness among drivers and promote safer driving behavior in work zones, ultimately achieving the goal of protecting lives.
As Kentucky prepares to implement this significant safety initiative, officials remain committed to fostering a safer environment in construction zones. The combination of automated speed enforcement and active law enforcement presence aims to curb reckless driving and enhance compliance with speed limits, ensuring that highway work zones are safer for everyone involved.
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