Will NJ Follow South Carolina’s Lead and Propose Bill to Increase Fines for Speeding in Construction Work Zones?
Earlier this month, the important issue of highway construction safety was in the spotlight. National Work Zone Awareness Week was recognized for the 15th consecutive year. The goal of the program is to educate the American public about the real hazards that exist in construction work zones. Speeding is one of the leading causes of work zone hazards and results in both non-fatal and fatal car accidents in construction work zones.
To further address the real concern of work zone safety, there currently is a proposed bill before the South Carolina Senate. The recommendations include doubling the fines for speeding in a highway work zone. The goal of the bill’s stricter penalties is to prevent more tragic injuries and car accidents from occurring.
The current bill that is under review in South Carolina proposes increasing the traffic fine for speeding in a work zone from $250 to $400 if there are no injuries resulting from the traffic violation. If the speeding violation results in an injury to a highway worker, another motorist, passenger or pedestrian, the fine would increase to $1,000. Moreover, the violator could face imprisonment for up to 60 days.
After reviewing the original proposed bill and hearing testimony in the Senate, state senators may consider modifying the recommendations to include even harsher penalties for offenders. For example, the new proposal may include fines from $500 to $1,000 for speeding in a work zone, as long as no one incurs an injury. More severe punishment would be handed down if someone is injured from a speeding violation in a construction work zone according to the modified bill. The senators suggest a $2,000 fine in addition to jail time.
Fifty percent of the money collected from the speeding traffic violations would be used to fund the salaries of state troopers. The troopers would be employed to patrol and monitor highway construction work zones. The added presence of law enforcement troopers is thought to be more of an incentive for drivers to reduce their speed in work zones than the prospect of just receiving a fine.
The bill is currently pending as various state senators continue to work out the details of the proposed traffic violation bill.
Experienced New Jersey Traffic Lawyer Defends Those Charged with Speeding in NJ
New Jersey traffic attorney, Michele Finizio, Esq., keeps current with changing traffic laws that may potentially affect drivers in the Garden State. Ms. Finizio can answer your questions and provide an aggressive defense to any charge of speeding in a work zone. If you have been issued a speeding ticket, trust New Jersey defense lawyer Michele Finizio to handle your case with experience and care. Call her law offices at 856-888-9059 or contact her online.
