Getting A Traffic Ticket For Speeding In A Work Zone (3 Important Laws You Need To Know)

A Traffic Ticket For Speeding In A Work Zone - Speed Limit In A Work Zone - Speeding In A Construction Zone - A Traffic Ticket In A Work Zone

Getting a traffic ticket for speeding in a work zone?

In this article, you’ll learn about:

  • what states give you felonies vs misdemeanors
  • what your fines and jail time are in each state
  • what other traffic violations will police hit you with in a work zone
  • how much your insurance will increase

Let’s dig in.

Table of Contents

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Key Points For Speeding In A Construction Zone

  • all states can give you a misdemeanor or felony for speeding in construction zones
  • you’ll get up to $1,000 in fines and 30 days in jail time
  • you’ll get up to a 1-year suspension of your license
  • there were an average of 149,873 crashes per year in work zones
  • work zone accidents accounted for 2.38% of all traffic accidents last year
  • there were 735 deaths in work zones last year from car accidents
  • work zone deaths accounted for 2.07% of all traffic deaths last year
  • there were 35,000+ traffic injuries in work zones last year
  • work zone accidents account for 1.3% of all traffic injuries

Causes For Getting A Traffic Ticket For Speeding In A Work Zone

Let’s look at some reasons you’ll get a traffic ticket in a work zone.

Read More: How Long Can A Car Be Parked On A Residential Street?

What Warrants A Speeding Ticket In A Work Zone?

You’ll get a ticket for speeding in a work zone at any speed over the posted speed limit.

But, police officers usually target you if you’re going more than 10 mph over the speed limit.

Other situations that land you with a traffic violation in a work zone are:

  • moving violations
  • non-moving violations

Non-moving violations for a work zone are:

  • failing to obey posted signs
  • not paying attention to workers
  • not obeying the posted speed limit
  • not yielding to vehicles with the right of way
  • driving while distracted or impaired
  • not using turn signals
  • not following traffic laws
  • driving recklessly
  • not stopping at a stop sign
  • park in a restricted area

Moving violations for a work zone are:

  • speeding
  • following too closely
  • running a red light
  • failing to move over or slow down for construction workers
  • making an illegal turn
  • making an unsafe lane change
  • racing
  • reckless driving
  • passing in a no-passing zone
  • failing to yield to emergency vehicles

What Are The Hazards Of Speeding In A Work Zone?

Speeding in a work zone is a misdemeanor or felony because you’re endangering people.

The construction workers need a safe environment to perform their work.

This is why a traffic ticket for speeding in a work zone is not a simple civil infraction.

And why you’re facing misdemeanor criminal charges instead of a citation.

Some hazards of speeding in a work area are:

  • Collision risk is higher when speeding in work zones.
  • Speeding increases the chance of injury or death in an accident.
  • Fines & other penalties for speeding in work zones.
  • Speeding in work zones can cause traffic delays.
  • Speeding endangers the safety of workers near traffic.

Penalties, Fines, And License Suspension

The penalties for a traffic ticket for speeding in a work zone are:

  • up to $1,000 in fines
  • up to 30 days in jail time
  • up to 4 points on your license
  • a misdemeanor or felony charge
  • license suspension for up to 1 year

Fill out the form on this page to get legal advice from a criminal defense attorney.

Our law firm gives free consultations to help you avoid work zone charges.

Here are the penalties for speeding in a work zone for every state.

StateSpeed LimitFineJail TimePoints on LicenseCharge
Alabama15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Alaska20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Arizona25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Arkansas30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
California35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Colorado15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Connecticut20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Delaware25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Florida30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Georgia35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Hawaii15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Idaho20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Illinois25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Indiana30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Iowa35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Kansas15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Kentucky20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Louisiana25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Maine30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Maryland35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Massachusetts15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Michigan20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Minnesota25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Mississippi30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Missouri35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Montana15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Nebraska20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Nevada25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
New Hampshire30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
New Jersey35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
New Mexico15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
New York20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
North Carolina25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
North Dakota30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Ohio35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Oklahoma15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Oregon20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Pennsylvania25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Rhode Island30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
South Carolina35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
South Dakota15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Tennessee20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
Texas25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Utah30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Vermont35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony
Virginia15 mph$50030 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Washington20 mph$5000 days4Misdemeanor
West Virginia25 mph$30015 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Wisconsin30 mph$5005 daysNoneMisdemeanor
Wyoming35 mph$1,00030 daysNoneFelony

Fines In A Construction Zone

These are the fines you could face for

  • Ticket for speeding in a work zone: from $100 to $1000.
  • Increased fines: a minimum of $300 and a maximum of $1000.
  • Fines for endangering the safety of workers: from $100-$1000.
  • Fines for creating hazardous conditions: from $100-$1000.
  • Fines for not following traffic control signs: from $50-$250.
  • Fines for creating a public nuisance: from $100-$1000.

Points Added To Driver’s License

Speeding in a work zone will lead to getting points on your driver’s license.

If you get caught speeding in a work zone, you are likely to get at least 2 points on your license.

But you can get more than 6 points added to your driving record if you’re going super fast.

Let’s look at how many points you’ll get vs to how much over the speed limit you’re going.

We will break this down as “Speed Over Limit” and Points:

  • 1-10 mph: 2-3 points
  • 11-20 mph: 4-6 points
  • 21+ mph: 6+ points

There are also specific state laws you need to be aware of.

Let’s look at the New York state DMV.

They give additional fines to drivers who receive 6+ points in an 18-month period.

Read More: What Is The Speed Limit In A Parking Lot?

License Suspension (Revocation Of Driving Privileges)

Driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit in most states results in license suspension.

License suspensions include:

  • a fine of up to $500
  • losing your license for 6 – 12 months

How long your suspended license lasts depends on the traffic laws in your state.

Read More: Why Do Cops Touch The Back Of Your Car?

Insurance Rate Increases

Getting a traffic ticket in a construction zone will increase your insurance rates.

For speeding in a work zone, insurance companies will increase your:

  • insurance rates: the annual amount you pay for coverage
  • insurance premiums: your monthly payment
  • insurance deductible: how much you pay out of pocket for repairs

This is because they consider a work zone speeding ticket a more serious offense.

This increase in rates and premiums can range from 10-25%.

Additionally, you may face:

  • surcharges
  • points penalties
  • other fees

You’ll face higher insurance premiums and rates for work zone speeding violations.

But you can also face other fees, like:

  • filing fees for an accident report
  • increased deductibles
  • having your policy canceled (if the violation is severe enough)

It is important to obey the speed limit in construction zones.

It can save you money, keep you safe, and keep construction workers safe.

Read More: What Happens If Someone Wrecks Your Car And They Aren’t On Your Insurance?

How to Avoid Getting a Traffic Ticket for Speeding in a Work Zone

You should obey the speed limits in work zones to avoid getting a traffic ticket.

The speed limit is often lower in work zones.

Make sure that you:

  • pay attention to the posted signs
  • are aware of your surroundings
  • slow down and proceed with caution
  • are mindful of workers and their vehicles.
  • pay attention to any warnings that they may give
  • follow their instructions

Obeying the speed limits in work zones is the best way to avoid getting a traffic ticket.

Here are some things motorists should avoid doing in a work area:

  • Don’t speed in construction zones; obey posted limits.
  • Don’t ignore workers; yield to them and their vehicles.
  • Don’t tailgate; leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles.
  • Don’t drive while under the influence; it’s dangerous and illegal.
  • Don’t ignore traffic signs or signals; obey them at all times.
  • Don’t pass in a work zone; wait for it to be safe.
  • Don’t drive between construction barrels or cones; stay in your lane.
  • Don’t make sudden stops or lane changes; wait until it’s safe.
  • Don’t ignore instructions from law enforcement; follow their directions.
  • Don’t distract other drivers; keep your eyes on the road.
  • Don’t forget to use your headlights in a work zone; it’s the law.
  • Don’t forget to give construction vehicles room to enter and exit.
  • Don’t attempt to pass a construction vehicle; wait until it’s safe.
  • Don’t ignore lane closures; obey all posted signs.
  • Don’t drive near heavy equipment without caution; watch for sudden lane changes.
  • Don’t forget to leave enough room for other vehicles in the work zone.
  • Don’t forget to watch for uneven surfaces; slow down if necessary.
  • Don’t ignore traffic signs or signals; pay attention to them.
  • Don’t forget to give workers the right of way; they’re working hard.
  • Don’t forget to use safety precautions; wear a seat belt and keep distractions to a minimum.

Hiring A Traffic Ticket Attorney

If you are convicted of speeding in a work zone, fill out the form on this page.

Our law firm has the experience you need to defend your rights.

This way, you don’t:

  • get wrongfully convicted of reckless driving
  • get your license suspended
  • spend up to 30 days in jail needlessly

You deserve a fair trial in the criminal justice system.

Out traffic lawyers can provide you with that.

Talk soon.

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We run out of free consultations every month. Sign up to make sure you get your free consultation. (Free $350 value.)

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