On Tuesday, a significant step was taken as new laws were signed into effect by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. These laws hold the potential to save the lives of thousands of road workers. Automated cameras will soon play a crucial role in detecting speeding in construction zones and preventing tragic incidents.

How the New Laws Will Work

HB 4132 and HB 4133 are set to create safer and more ideal conditions for construction workers under MDOT jurisdiction. There will be a clear sign warning drivers of the cameras one mile before the start of the work zone. These cameras will automatically detect vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit and take an image of the vehicle. This proactive measure aims to deter speeding and enhance the safety of construction sites.For instance, take the case of Rene Rangel, a Van Buren County Road Commission (VBCRC) worker. Last year, he was struck and killed while working on site. His tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of these new laws. Linea Raider, the Finance and Human Resources director for VBCRC, vividly recalls that day. "We all have that day etched in our brains, and it’ll never go away," Raider said. "He was an outstanding person, always with a joke and a hard worker. It was a horrible day when he was struck and killed by a vehicle at the construction site."

The Rising Number of Construction-Zone-Related Incidents in Michigan

In 2023 alone, there were more than 8,000 construction-zone-related crashes in the state, resulting in nearly 2,000 injuries and 24 fatalities. These numbers are alarming and have prompted groups like Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) to fight for the newest Michigan laws. Lance Binoniemi, the vice president of MITA, explains, "Over the past 5 to 10 years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of accidents and fatalities within construction zones. This prompted our association and its members to look at other states and their successful measures to protect workers."Michigan now becomes the 18th state in the country to adopt these automated camera systems. Data from other states has backed up the association's fight for these laws. In Maryland, for example, there was an 85% drop in the number of speeders in the first five years of the program. And once a driver is caught speeding, there are virtually no repeat offenders with just a written warning.

The Consequences for Speeding Drivers

These laws are in place only when workers are present. The law states that over a three-year period, if a driver is going more than 10 miles above the work zone speed limit, the first violation will result in a written warning. The second violation leads to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $150. And the third violation is another civil infraction, with a fine potentially reaching $300. These consequences are designed to make drivers think twice before speeding through construction zones.As Raider emphasizes, "We have begun closing roads more than just posting lane closures because people disregard them so much and our people are not safe. Renee deserved to be safe, and unfortunately, he didn't. With these new laws, ensuring people don't speed through work zones, we hope to prevent at least one more death."Follow FOX 17: Facebook – X (formerly Twitter) – Instagram – YouTube