| Camera will help enforce speeds in northwest Portland work zone |
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| ODOT News |
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April 15, 2009
For more information, contact Sally Ridenour (503) 986-3359 or Anne Holder (503) 986-4195
Motorists traveling through the construction work zone on U.S. 30/Yeon Street in northwest Portland will soon see signs announcing “photo radar in use.” The Oregon Department of Transportation, in partnership with Portland Police Bureau, is using the technology for speed enforcement in the work zone.
This is the first time ODOT has contracted with a law enforcement agency to provide photo radar enforcement in a highway work zone. The legislatively-approved project will assess public support of using photo radar to help make highway work zones safer.
“Worker and motorist safety in work zones is a top priority for ODOT and our law enforcement and construction industry partners,” said ODOT Director Matt Garrett. “One of the leading causes of work zone crashes is motorists driving too fast for conditions.”
In 2007, 11 people died in crashes in Oregon work zones. None of the people who died were construction workers; they were drivers, passengers or pedestrians.
Photo radar is used successfully for speed enforcement by several Oregon cities including Portland. Studies show that the percentage of vehicles exceeding the speed limit reduces when photo radar is used.
The photo radar enforcement for this project will be similar to what Portland Police Bureau has been doing for the last several years. Photo radar will only be in operation when construction workers are present in the work zone.
Citations are $127 or more depending on the violation. Fines are designed to maximize the deterrent effect of photo radar. All money collected goes through normal citation channels. None of the money goes to ODOT.
“Our goal is to get drivers to voluntarily slow down in work zones, not penalize people,” said Garrett.
The Oregon Transportation Investment Act is roughly doubling the number of work zones on state highways through 2011. The state must look for additional tools to supplement on-going efforts to improve work zone safety. The purpose of this project is to determine if photo radar should be one of those tools.
Tips for driving in a work zone:
- Pay attention and drive cautiously.
- Orange is your clue. Slow down when you see orange signs, barrels and barricades.
- Don’t tailgate. Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you.
For more information about this project or work zone safety, visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/work_zone_photo_radar.shtml.
###ODOT###
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