Posted on 03/10/2019 1:08:05 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
With a flashy name and speed-tracking equipment, state police cracked down on leadfoots in PennDOT construction zones last week in western Pennsylvania.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that state police with Troop A issued 171 citations and 70 written warnings to alleged speedsters in Indiana County as part of Operation Yellow Jacket. Under the crackdown, a trooper gauged vehicle’s speeds in a construction zone. The officer then radioed ahead to other officers, who pulled over the offending drivers.
Generally speaking, speed limits are 10 mph lower in a construction zone as a safety precaution for road crews.
The officers were enforcing the state’s Steer Clear Law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down in construction zones or when a first responder arrives at a roadside emergency or pulls a vehicle over. First-time offenders of the law can face a fine of up to $250.
There can be deadly consequences when drivers speed through construction zones. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that since its creation in 1970, 88 of its employees have died in accidents in construction zones. The most recent fatality was in February 2018 when a 45-year-old man was placing flares on Interstate 99 in Blair County. Others employees have suffered serious, life-altering injuries in construction zone accidents. Another 30 Pennsylvania Turnpike employees have died over the years in accidents.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
If Pennsylvania is cracking down you can assume that Michigan is too.
PING.
In Missouri if you hit a construction worker, injuring them or not, it’s a minimum $5000 fine and a lifetime revocation.
Traffic fines in construction zones are usually double - at least here in Washington.
Respect them. It’s a very hazardous job.
They must not be too serious about it.
"Ma'am...I'm going to have to pop your wrist. Now, where's my ruler."
What does active mean? When workers are present? Then good.
However, an active construction zone with no workers should not be held to the same standards such as on weekends and holidays.
Yeah, I was running one day a car came zooming by very close. He could have moved over but decided to give me a scare. He was wearing a safety vest. I bet most of them don’t care about others .
A few months ago, I had a very aggressive semi driver behind me on the PA Turnpike. I didn’t want him next to me so I stayed ahead. We hit 110 in a construction zone
I have the same problem when moving farm equipment on the
main highway.Some people like try to scare me by passing way to close.Running into 45000 lbs of American steel would change that attitude real quick.
Construction workers on freeways are taking a big risk, since many drivers are using the phone.
There are 28 freeways in Los Angeles and 171 citations with 170 warnings can be given at anytime at any freeway in about twenty minutes. Once year there is an airplane doing circles over the 101 Freeway near Santa Barbara that tells the ten police cars parked along the freeway about speedsters. Easy citations.
PA doesn’t gauge a work zone as “active” by having workers present. A construction zone is deemed “active” if the yellow flashing lights warning you of a construction zone are on. It can be 2.17a on a Sunday morning in the middle of a blizzard - if the lights are flashing, the construction zone is “active” and enhanced penalties apply.
Some construction zones have electronic billboards up saying the zone is active 24/7.
Once a semi was much too close to me, I sped up and glanced in the rear view mirror. The driver wasn’t paying attention to the road at all! He was looking down. He wasn’t aware I was in front of him.
since then, I change lanes, slow down and let them pass. Not worth taking a chance with life.
I absolutely despise people like you out on the road. Let me clue you in on a little secret - the driver doesn’t want to have you sitting beside his truck, either. If you would simply maintain your speed, the passing manuver would take all of 5 seconds and you most likely would not see the truck again.
But, no. You have to accelerate and play race car driver. How foolish can you possibly be?
What is the harm of letting a tractor trailer get past you? Why not simply maintain your speed and let him get around you?
I’ve found that setting my cruise at 3-5 mph BELOW the posted speed limit makes the drive MUCH less stressful. Of course, if there is no passing lane, I will set the cruise barely above the posted limit, and slow down whenever someone attempts a pass.
Much safer and the difference in arrival time is insignificant.
You mean it’s possible to speed in Los Angeles?
You’re lucky if you can ever go over 30 MPH on a freeway there.
Kudos to you, sir. Those are mighty fine ways to conduct yourself out on the road. I’m certain that not only you but others around you experience much less angst and consternation by practicing your method of driving. Well done and thank you.
Perhaps you should ask before you jump to a wrong conclusion.
To start, I have tremendous respect for truckers. Good ones not jerks.
My son is a trucker. Until a few years ago, I had a CDL and drove coaches.
I passed the jerk in question cleanly with plenty of space and maintained my speed. I have no idea why, but he began to tailgate me and continued for miles, I was driving 10-15 mph in excess of the speed limit. His driving was rather erratic and was not maintaining very good lane control, thus, I thought it in my best interest to remain in front of him. At no time did I impede his way nor did I do anything to provoke his anger.
Feel free to apologize.
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