Drivers will see a small SUV or
van similar to the one above in
work zones where WSDOT is using
Automated Traffic Safety Camera
for speed enforcement. |
An operator will send license plate
photos of speeding drivers to
the Washington State Patrol.
An infraction will come in the mail. |
 |
For the 2008-09 construction seasons (April - October), the Washington State Department of Transportation received Legislative approval (see sec. 220) for a pilot project to put Automated Traffic Safety Cameras in work zones.
WSDOT believes the speed enforcement cameras will slow drivers to make work zones safer for workers, drivers and passengers.
We encourage citizens to send WSDOT comments on the program.
Where will the the cameras be?
This year, the van-mounted camera unit visited a work zones in Chehalis.
WSDOT launched the ATSC pilot project Sept. 15. Located in an SUV parked along the highway within an active construction work zone, the ATSC radar and camera unit recorded the speed and photographed the rear license plate of vehicles speeding through the work zone. An operator monitored the system and forwarded violator information to the Washington State Patrol.
The WSP then checked the vehicle registration and the registered owner received a $137 citation. As of Friday, Oct. 24 1,197 were issued. The program is now done for the year. Results of how driver behavior changed during the ATSC unit deployment will be available later this year.
In spring 2009, we anticipate using the system in and Grand Mound. Signs will notify drivers the camera is enforcing the speed limit through the work zones.
Lower speeds means less collisions and less congestion
Speed is the number one reason for collisions in Washington. In 2006, speeding drivers caused more than 15,000 traffic incidents on state highways.
There are close to 2,000 traffic incidents each year in state highway work zones. While the high-profile incidents are decreasing, those smaller incidents that block traffic and cause minor injuries keep going up.
Between 2001 and 2006, work zone collisions increased by close to 60 percent, from only 686 in 2001 to 1,097 in 2006. The top two reasons for work zone crashes are speeding and inattentive driving. And, one of the top collision types in work zones is the rear-end collision during daylight hours.
Slow Down: Protect the worker, yourself and your pocketbook
WSDOT's Give 'em a Brake program may focus on worker safety and how drivers should watch out for workers, but the majority of work zone fatalities and injuries are drivers and passengers (non-workers) - accounting for 99% of the total in 2006.
Injuries to driver and passenger injuries in work zones have increased by close to 30 percent since 2001, while there was only one flagger/roadway worker killed on a state highway from 2001 to 2006.
As the weather warms and more workers are out on Washington's roadways, the incidents increase each month - with more incidents in August than any other month.
Tips for Driving in a Work Zone:
- Observe the speed limit (60 mph) and don’t do anything except drive while you’re in the work zone.
- Don’t use your cell phone,
- Don’t eat or drink
- Don’t change CD’s or radio stations.
- Don’t tailgate! Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
To read more facts and tips on driving through a work zone, please visit our “Give ‘Em A Brake” Web site.
For more information, contact: Marty Weed, WSDOT Traffic Operations, (360) 705-7293 weedm@wsdot.wa.gov or Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 fimana@wsdot.wa.gov.