Automatic Fines For Speeding in Work Zones Could Be Coming to Maine

With the signs of winter fading away in Maine, a new season is upon us. Spring is notorious for how many road projects it brings to the Pine Tree State. Towns, cities and the state have to fix the mess left behind by the winter.

But not all road work zones are created equal. In sleepy towns across the state, danger to construction workers is minimalized. On the Maine Turnpike, things can be downright scary for workings based on the speed of vehicles passing by.

Work Zones on the Maine Turnpike Could Be Changing Forever

According to WGME, a bill will be presented to the Maine Legislature that could change the poilcing of work zones on the Maine Turnpike forever.

The bill would take specific work zones and add automated speed systems to them. Rather than having to rely on actual Maine State Police officers to slow motorists down, the automated system will identify speed, collect license plate information and hand out violations to those that don't obey the limit.

The Bill Aims to Create Slower Driver Habits in Work Zones Across Maine Highways

If the bill is passed, it would be enacted and executed over a three year period as a pilot program. The hope isn't to dish more fines to drivers but instead to create new habits for motorists where they understand that work zones mean slow down immediately or else.

That initial three year window would also give motorists time to adjust. The work zones with automated speed monitoring would be obvious to drivers and only those passing through work zones at 11mph or more above the posted work zone speed limit would be subject to a violation with the first instance only being a written letter of warning.