Work zone speeding laws differ from state to state. With current and planned road construction projects in Arizona, it’s useful to know what penalties you might face if you exceed the speed limit. Are fines in a construction zone doubled for drivers in Arizona? To avoid facing hefty fees, here’s what to know about construction zone fines in The Grand Canyon State.
Are Fines in a Construction Zone Doubled?
In most states, you’ll face doubled fines if a police officer pulls you over for speeding in a construction zone. This is true for Arizona (in most cases). If someone is cited for speeding in a work zone, that person is subject to a civil penalty even if there are no workers currently present in the work zone.
What this means for drivers is that a speeding violation that would normally result in a $200 fine in a non-construction zone will typically equal $400 in a construction zone. To avoid paying such hefty fees, it’s important to carefully adhere to the posted speed limit in construction zones.
In some cases, speeding in a work zone may be a criminal violation that’s subject to even harsher penalties such as potential jail time. If you’ve suffered an injury from someone who was speeding in a work zone, you may wish to seek legal counsel from an Phoenix, Arizona car accident lawyer.
What Are Arizona’s Speeding Laws?
Arizona’s speeding laws can fall into three major categories:
- Basic speeding law
- Prima facie limits
- Absolute speed limits
The basic speeding law requires motorists to drive at a reasonable speed for the circumstances, potential and actual hazards, and conditions. This means that even in an area with a 55-mile-per-hour speed limit, a slower speed may be necessary in inclement weather conditions.
Presumed limits is another term for prima facie speed limits. Unless otherwise posted, the prima facie speed limits in Arizona are 25 miles per hour in all residential and business districts, 15 miles per hour at school crossings, and 65 miles per hour everywhere else.
Absolute speed limits in Arizona are the maximum speeds the state allows according to the posted speed limits. These are usually 65 miles per hour on any interstate highway that’s not located in an urbanized area.
How Can You Quickly Identify a Construction Zone in Arizona?
A construction zone is any part of a public highway or roadway on which a construction, repair, survey or maintenance crew is currently working. These crews may be performing road work on behalf of a local authority, the Department of Transportation, a private contractor or a utility company. Workers do not have to be present at all times in a construction zone. You’ll still receive augmented speeding fines for driving in a work zone. This is true even when there are no visible workers in that zone.
Get Help When Facing Doubled Fines in a Construction Zone
Now that you know the answer to the question of whether fines in a speeding zone are doubled, it’s time to consider what you’ll do if you suffer an injury in an accident while driving in a construction zone. You may qualify for medical compensation, depending on the details of your case. Contact Sargon Law Group to speak with a local Phoenix injury lawyer if you need legal advice after a car accident injury, whether the injury occurred in a construction zone or elsewhere.