INDOT adds 2 areas to safe zones program, including I-70 in Hancock County

INDIANAPOLIS — Additional sites are being added to the Indiana Department of Transportation’s worksite speed control pilot program.

According to officials with INDOT, Safe Zone deployments will resume on Sept. 15 on I-70 in Hancock County between the 105-109 mile markers. This will be west of Knightstown and east of Greenfield.

An additional Safe Zone will be implemented on Sept. 15 on I-80/90, or the Indiana Toll Road, in Stuben County between the 142-143 mile markers near Fremont. This is located in northeast Indiana.

Currently, the Safe Zones program is active in the Clear Path I-465/I-69 work zone on the northeast side of Indianapolis as well as on I-65 near Lowell. INDOT officials said that deployments are expected to end on I-65 in Lake County when the construction is completed in mid-to-late September.

“We’ve seen around a 70% reduction in excessive speeds within our current deployment sites,” INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist said in a news release. “Creating safer conditions for both drivers and road workers is our goal, and lower speeds are a huge factor in that effort.”

According to previous reports, vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit will receive a violation notice via mail. The first violation is a zero-fine warning. If there is a second violation, the driver will be required to pay a $75 civil fine, and a $150 civil fine will be imposed for third and subsequent violations.

“I am encouraged by the success we’ve seen so far,” Secretary of Transportation and Infrastructure Matt Ubelhor said in the release, “and I cannot stress enough the importance of slowing down and avoiding distractions in work zones. We want everyone to go home safe at the end of the day.”

Fines are able to be paid online, by phone or by mail. The release said that payment is due within 30 days of a violation being mailed. For more information, click here.