The warning period for the Electronic Speed Safety Program in the I-95 construction zone in Wilmington ends on Sunday, April 17.
Beginning Monday, April 18, first-time offenders will receive a warning, and repeat violations will result in a fine.
That legislation limits the use of speed cameras in the accident-plagued I-95 construction zone in Wilmington. On rare occasions, motorists blocked in by accidents have seen delays of hours.
The bill has raised the hackles of some motorists who claim it is the beginning of more widespread use of speed cameras that have been deployed in other states in construction and school zones.
Beginning Monday, the camera-captured violation occurs at a speed of 58 mph; the speed violation is $20 plus an additional $13, which accounts for $1 for each mile per hour over the 45-mph posted work zone speed limit, and the assessment of other fees as outlined in Delaware Code for a total of $74.50. These violations are civil penalties only, and no points will be assessed on driver’s licenses.
The pilot program’s goal is to reduce work zone speeds and crashes and improve work zone safety for workers and motorists. In 2021, there were 423 crashes in the I-95 work zone in Delaware, a 49% in the same area from 2019.
To date, more than 24,000 warnings have been issued, and there has been a 10 percent reduction in speeds on average through the work zone since the program began in January, DelDOT reported. Also, crashes in the work zone have decreased by almost 37% compared to the same time period last year.
The use of automated speed enforcement was granted by the Delaware General Assembly in Section 142 of the FY22 Bond Bill as a pilot and only for Restore the Corridor work zone. More information about the program can be found at www.restorethecorridor.com.
Enforcing the speed limit through traditional means is difficult and dangerous for law enforcement due to narrow lanes and no shoulder in the construction area.
