Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department With a great deal of road construction work taking place throughout the area in the summer months, I was asked about speeding in construction areas. There are some signs warning of increased penalties for traffic violations. I was asked to provide some information about the possible fines associated with speeding in these places. Speeding regulations are generally covered by Sections Seventeen and Eighteen of Chapter Ninety of the Massachusetts General Laws. The penalties for violation are controlled under Chapter twenty. Generally, the minimum fine for speeding is $50 for the first ten miles over the speed limit. In addition to this fine, surcharges are added to this amount and earmarked for such places as the Head Injury Trust and Public Safety Training Funds. Also, the fines are increased by an additional $10 per mile for speeds exceeding the first ten miles per hour. For example, if traveling 50 mph in a 30 mph zone, the minimum fine applies up to 40 mph, plus an additional $100 for the ten miles from 40 to 50. Several years ago, fines were authorized to be doubled in construction areas. Reference the example above (50mph in a 30pmh zone), the fines could be $300 (plus surcharges) if the violation occurs in a construction area. A "construction area" appears to be defined by Mass Law in 720CMR9.06. It offers guidelines in application to highways where "traffic signs are erected, or warning lights are displayed...to notify of the presence of men or equipment". This is general and broad, so numerous areas of work can apply. These can be places where accidents or injuries can take place, so the laws provide stiff penalties for speeding in these areas. |
Whether or not it is a construction zone, it is important to share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. Our office receives speeding complaints from all over town and we try to be in many places to provide traffic enforcement. In addition to the normal heavily traveled roads, many calls are received from places with very light traffic. These lesser traveled areas can be especially dangerous should drivers speed. People that live in those areas, who may be using the roads, are not expecting fast traveling vehicles. They may not be able to react in time to avoid a problem. By combining cautious driving with the proper use of the roads by the public, we can reduce the chances of accidents and injuries.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St., Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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