New law increases construction zone speeding penalties

Описание: With hundreds of ongoing road projects in Minnesota, there is an orange crush of signs for drivers to be aware of. It is simple: if you see orange barrels, cones, or signs, slow down. But with that message comes stricter penalties for those caught speeding in construction zones.

Beginning Friday, speeding fines in Minnesota road construction zones will rise from $212 to $300.

"Our workers, like everyone else deserve to work in a safe place," said MnDOT Commissioner Charlie Zelle. "They also deserve to go home each night to their families."

There are more than 1,700 crashes each year in construction zones. Three years ago, Deb Carlson lost her husband, Craig, to a speeding vehicle along I-35. Craig Carlson worked for Brooklyn Park-based Egan Company.

"People, you need to slow down," Carlson said. "Pay attention and remember that it is someone's father, mother, sister or brother in the work zone next to you."

MnDOT says distracted driving is an epidemic, and that eating, drinking, texting and talking on the phone can have serious repurcussions.

Said MnDOT supervisor George Hickey:,"Our motto is, the work that we do won't kill us, but we can get killed doing the work that we do."

In addition to the work zone law, other new legislation requires MnDOT to study all two-lane highways, and where appropriate, consider raising the speed limit from 55 to 60 mph.

Eric Nelson, reporting

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