Penalties increase for hitting highway workers

Under the new law, which went into effect Aug. 28, injuring or killing a highway worker could cost drivers $10,000, and they could lose their drivers’ licenses for a year.

Two highway workers were killed in work zones in August, as the Missouri Department of Transportation is in the midst of its busiest-ever construction season. MoDOT will have more than 1,000 active work zones this year.

“These recent tragedies remind us of the critical importance of work-zone safety,” said MoDOT System Management Director Don Hillis, in a news release. “This new law will make work zones safer for motorists and highway workers.”

In addition to the higher fine and possible loss of drivers’ licenses, the new law:

• Creates two new crimes – endangerment of a highway worker and aggravated endangerment of a highway worker;

• Sets a $75 fine for any person convicted of a second or subsequent moving violation within a work zone, and a $300 fine for any person convicted of a second or subsequent speeding or passing violation in a work zone;

• Expands the definition of highway worker to cover suppliers and delivery personnel; and

• Repeals a sign covering and uncovering provision, so that informational signs will always remain unveiled in work zones.

New signs reflecting the penalties are now on display in work zones throughout the state.

Highway workers aren’t the only people to be injured or killed in highway work zones. According to MoDOT statistics, between 2000 and 2004, 5,327 motorists have been injured and 104 motorists have been killed in highway work zones.

Work-zone locations and information are available online at www.modot.org. [[In-content Ad]]