Released on August 3, 2000
Drivers speeding through highway construction and maintenance or "Orange Zones"will now pay heftier fines.
As of August 1, drivers exceeding 60 km per hour when passing a highway worker
or flag person will see an increase in base fines from $70 to $140, plus $2 for
each km/hr over the speed limit they drive. Drivers exceeding 30 km/hr over
the 60 km/hr speed limit will receive the $140 base fine plus $4 for each km/hr
over the speed limit they drive.
Work zone fines have not been increased since 1991. SGI, the Department of
Justice, Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation and the RCMP agreed it was
time to target speeders by imposing heavier fines.
"When drivers enter a work zone at an excess speed, they are endangering the
lives of flag persons and work crews," Highways and Transportation Minister
Maynard Sonntag said. "A more severe penalty to deter speeders is welcomed by
workers and those who care about safety on our highways."
In the last five years, police have responded to 145 Orange Zone accidents in
Saskatchewan. Of those, 90 resulted in property damage to vehicles or
equipment, and 54 of those accidents resulted in injuries to 85 people. One
person died. It's estimated there are 150 near-miss accidents in Orange Zones
each year caused by drivers exceeding the posted speed limits.
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For more information, contact:
John Meed
Manager, Transport Compliance
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4133