INDIANA—The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has announced the expansion of its worksite speed control pilot program, Safe Zones, to two additional locations. Starting on or after Monday, September 15, enforcement will begin on I-70 in Hancock County and on I-80/90 in Steuben County, near the Indiana Toll Road.
The program is currently active on I-465/I-69 in Indianapolis and on I-65 near Lowell, where it is expected to conclude in mid-to-late September.
“We’ve seen around a 70% reduction in excessive speeds within our current deployment sites,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “Creating safer conditions for both drivers and road workers is our goal, and lower speeds are a huge factor in that effort.”
How the Program Works
The Safe Zones system uses truck-mounted speed timing devices to monitor vehicle speeds in work zones. If a vehicle is traveling 11 mph or more over the posted speed limit, the system captures an image of the vehicle’s rear license plate. For a violation to be valid, workers must be present at the worksite.
Violation notices are mailed to the vehicle owner. The first offense results in a zero-fine warning, while a second violation carries a $75 civil fine. Subsequent violations are subject to a $150 civil fine. Fines collected from the program are deposited into the state’s General Fund.
The Indiana General Assembly authorized the Safe Zones program through House Enrolled Act 1015 in 2023. The law allows for up to four active enforcement sites at any given time. Signs are posted at the entry and exit points of active worksites to inform drivers that speeds are being monitored by the automated system.
