Is it illegal to speed in Missouri road construction zones if no workers are around?
Missouri broke ground on an expansion of Interstate 70 in June, which will add a third lane in each direction to the highway between Blue Springs and the St. Louis suburb of Wentzville.
Construction on the highway is expected to take around seven years to complete. While construction is underway, speed limits will change as various segments of the highway become work zones.
You should follow the posted speed limit and pay attention as you go through such zones, or it could cost you. In 2023, distracted driving led to 588 work zone crashes and five fatalities, and speeding was involved in 10% of crashes, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
Here’s what to know about driving in a construction zone on a Missouri road, and what penalties you can face for breaking the law.
What happens if I speed in a Missouri work zone?
Speeding is against the law in the state, even if it’s by 1 mph over the limit. Fines for speeding range from $75 to 229 depending on how much you were caught going over the limit. You will have a mandatory court appearance if you were caught going 25 mph over the posted speed limit.
You can expect even more to be added to your fine if you are caught speeding in a work zone. The first time will cost you $250 extra if a worker is present, according to a Missouri statute, and the cost will increase for future violations.
If there is no worker in the area, it’ll cost you $25 more than the base fine and increase for future violations.
Hitting a worker in a work zone can cost you up to $10,000 and the loss of your driver’s license for a year, on top of any other charges you may face.
Tips on driving in a construction zone
MoDOT offers these tips for drivers getting through a construction zone on state highways:
- Buckle up: Use your seat belt every trip.
- Put your phone down: Dedicate your full attention to the roadway. The Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law went into effect in 2023, which says drivers in Missouri can no longer physically hold or support their cellphone with any part of their body while driving their car.
- Follow signs: They’ll guide you through work zones safely.
- Expect the unexpected: Watch for workers and equipment.
- Pay attention: Turn the radio down and don’t use your phone.
- Be patient: Remember workers are improving the road for future travels.
- Don’t speed: Follow posted limits and adjust for weather conditions.
- Don’t drink and drive: Impairment of any kind is unacceptable.
- Be nice: Merge as directed, don’t tailgate and don’t change lanes in a work zone.
