Know the Penalties for Speeding in a Texas Construction Zone
All traffic violations in the state of Texas have the possibility of causing major headaches for drivers, and your trouble can literally double for speeding and other violations in a construction zone. To protect construction workers and prevent costly and dangerous accidents, traffic fines double in construction zones and other maintenance areas. Here is some basic information on construction zone traffic laws.
Rules to Follow Construction Zones in Texas
Given the challenges of driving through a construction zone, including narrow lanes, changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and the presence of construction workers, speed limits for all vehicles are reduced. The temporary speed limit signs for construction zones should be followed throughout the zone, even when workers, equipment, or construction markings like barrels are not present. It is only safe to resume the normal speed limit once signs clearly show you are allowed to do so.
Under Texas’s Move Over/Slow Down law drivers are required to move over one lane and slow their vehicle’s speed by 20 miles per hour below the posted legal speed limit for any police, fire, and emergency vehicles. The law now also includes utility service vehicles, TxDOT vehicles, and any other construction or maintenance vehicles with flashing lights, which are commonly found in construction zones. This includes vehicles in the roadway or on the shoulder. To follow the Move Over/Slow Down law in construction zones, you must further reduce your speed and move over if there is an additional lane.
Penalties for Violations
If you are caught speeding in a work zone, the normal fine is doubled. The fine can be as much as $1,000 if construction workers are present. Tickets for tailgating in a construction zone result in a $200 fine. If speed is a factor in an accident in a work zone, fines can be more than $2,000. In addition to fines, an appearance in traffic court may result in a license suspension or revocation plus points being added to your license based on the severity of the violation. All these factors will likely lead to higher insurance rates.
San Antonio Lawyer for Construction Zone Traffic Violations
If you have been caught speeding, especially in a construction zone, we do not advise you to show up to court by yourself. Law Offices of Sam H. Lock can provide you with representation in all traffic violation cases and help you avoid large fines, license suspension, and points being added to your license. Contact a South Texas traffic violation attorney today at 210-226-0965 for a
Sources:
https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/media-center/psas/distracted-driving/work-zones.html
https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._transp._code_section_542.404
