Statewide Program Begins Wednesday To Help Slow Down Drivers In Work Zones

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - A statewide program to protect crews in work zones from drivers breaking the speed limit goes into effect today.

Drivers caught speeding will get a warning for speeding and if they continue to violate the speed limit, the penalties will go up from there.

The "Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement" program was a collaborative effort between the Turnpike Commission, PennDOT and Pennsylvania State Police.

It uses systems mounted to vehicles that can detect and record a driver's speed. It will only operate in active works zones.

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The Turnpike told KDKA's John Shumway one of the places it wants to seed speed cameras are in the Southern Expressway construction zone on I-79.

The goal isn't to just get people to slow down but to change drivers' habits and make it safer for workers.

If caught speeding, drivers will first get a warning letter. If they continue to violate the speed limit, a second offense is a $75 fine and third is a $150 fine.

The enforcement begins today in the eastern part of Pennsylvania but is expected to come to Pittsburgh.