April 6, 2004

New legislation (P.A. 315) slated to go into effect April 8 will define the boundaries of Michigan's work zones. Beginning this spring, work zones will be marked with "Work Zone Begins" and "End Road Work" signs. "Begin Work Convoy" and "End Work Convoy" signs will be used for mobile crews traveling along roads as workers paint lane lines or patch potholes. The new law also requires posting a speed limit sign in all work zones which are marked with "Work Zone Begins" and "End Road Work" signs.

The legislation also lowers the threshold at which driving offenses can trigger Andy's Law penalties.

In 2001, the state passed Andy's Law, named for 19-year-old construction worker Andrew Lefko, who was seriously injured in a 1999 crash in a southeast Michigan work zone on I-275. This law created penalties: up to 15 years in prison and $7,500 in fines for driving in a criminal manner – such as reckless or drunken driving – and killing a construction or maintenance worker; and up to one year in jail and $2,500 in fines for injuring a worker.P.A. 315 will include penalties for lesser driving offenses such as careless driving or speeding.

"This bill is about protecting road workers, but also slowing everyone down for their own protection," said State Transportation Director Gloria J. Jeff. "Most motorists don't realize that statistically they are more at risk than the workers are in work zones. But, the point is, we want everyone to slow down for safety. This new law will clearly mark the beginning and end of work zones while informing the motorist what the speed limit is 'in the zone.'"

"Michigan's road crews keep our state on the move," said Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. "Don't risk their lives - or your own - by speeding through work zones. This law will make drivers more aware of the need to adjust their speeds when entering or leaving work sites. Traffic safety is everyone's business. So slow down, enjoy Michigan's splendor, and save a life."

"As sponsor of this legislation, I am well aware of the dangers related to working on the road," said Rep. Dan Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township, whose family's business is an excavation company that frequently puts workers on the roadsides. "It seems like every day you're out there working, there's a close call."

"The safety of workers has always been one of my top concerns," said Sen. Shirley Johnson, R-Troy, who introduced the legislation in the state Senate. "We must make driving safely in work zones one of our top priorities this year as construction starts up again in Michigan."

The new legislation requires speed limit signs to be posted in all work zones marked with "Work Zone Begins" and "End Road Work" signs to remind motorists what the work zone speed is. MDOT reminds drivers that the default speed limit is 45 miles per hour in a clearly defined work zone with a lane closure, unless posted otherwise.

Affected work zones will include state highways, county roads and city streets. A work zone may involve construction, maintenance or utility work activities. Signs will be placed on projects currently underway. Motorists can expect to see the new signs at all projects as construction begins this spring.

The new law goes into effect during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 4-10, when the nation's drivers are urged to slow down and drive safely through work zones. The new law also has the support of MDOT's Give 'em a Brake safety awareness coalition, which represents labor and engineering unions, law enforcement, state agencies and the road building industry.

Protect Michigan families: Please slow down in work zones. A message from MDOT and the Give 'em a Brake safety coalition

Caption for attached photo: A "Work Zone Begins" sign marks the start of the job at the Capitol Loop reconstruction project in downtown Lansing. Motorists can expect to see new signs at all Michigan work zones this year, marking the beginning and end of the zone, as well as speed limit signs. (MDOT Photo/Jim LeMay)

> Back to News & Headlines
> To Michigan Department of Transportation