INDOT’s Safe Zones program rolls out in May. Here’s what it will do

By MICHAELA SPRINGER
WISH-TV | wishtv.com

If you catch yourself going 10 or 15 over in construction zones sometimes, be careful – that could be the reason for your traffic fine.

Drivers in Indianapolis starting May 5 will face penalties for speeding in construction zones as part of INDOT’s Safe Zones program.

According to INDOT, 269 people have died in Indiana work zone crashes in the past decade. In 2024 alone, 30 fatalities, and over 1,500 injuries were reported in work zones across the state.

The program, greenlit by the Indiana General Assembly in 2023, aims to enhance safety in work zones by enforcing speed limits with automated systems.

“It’s crucial for drivers to slow down in work zones,” INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist said. “Speeding in work zones puts construction crews, drivers, and their passengers at risk of injury or even death.”

As of Monday, the only active Safe Zones location was in the Clear Path I-465/I-69 construction zone on Indy’s northeast side.

How will Safe Zones work?

Safe Zones, established through HEA 1015, allows INDOT to set up speed enforcement systems at four different locations at the same time.

The systems use truck-mounted speed timing devices to monitor vehicle speeds. If a vehicle goes over the speed limit by 11 mph or more, the system takes a picture of the vehicle’s license plate. After validating speed data, the vehicle owner will be sent a violation notice through the mail.

Monitored zones will be marked by caution signs seen when entering and exiting an active worksite.

Workers must be on site for a speed violation to be valid.

How much could I get fined?

• First offense: Zero-fine warning
• Second offense: $75
• Third offense: $150
• Subsequent offenses: $150 per offense

Drivers will receive their violation notices through the mail. Fines can then be paid online, over the phone, or mailing the payment to INDOT.

Collected fines will be directed to Indiana’s general fund, or the primary operating fund for state government.

INDOT did not say if repeat offenses will have greater consequences.

Have Safe Zones been tested?

Yes. In a release sent Monday, INDOT refers to data seen from other states’ Safe Zones programs. Maryland saw an 80 percent decrease in speeding violations in constructions zones, while Pennsylvania noted a 19 percent decrease.

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois are the only states that have made Safe Zones permanent. Indiana, Arizona, Washington, New York, Virginia, and Connecticut are currently in their pilot phases.

While Indiana’s five-year pilot program is still in its infancy, INDOT says they have already tracked a 70 percent decrease in excessive speeding during the program’s first four months.

INDOT says it plans to share annual reports on Safe Zone data to the public throughout the next five years.

For more information on the program, visit SafeZonesIN.com.

This story was originally published by WISH-TV at wishtv.com/news/local-news/indianapolis-safe-zones-program.