DRIVERS have slammed a new driving law that doubles fines for traffic violations in certain work zones.
State officials hope that the law, and several other new driving rules, will improve highway safety.
Arkansas drives were warned about a new law than doubled fines for driving recklessly in work zones[/caption]
The law hopes to improve traffic and highway safety for construction and road workers[/caption]
Drivers can identify work zones by signage and lights[/caption]
Arkansas drivers traveling through mobile work zones should be extra careful behind the wheel or get ready to face increased fines, as reported by local Arkansas news outlet KAIT-TV.
The 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session passed Act 327, which states that fines would be doubled for moving traffic violations in mobile work zones.
The act classifies a mobile work zone as any area on a highway or road where construction, maintenance, or other work is being done by construction crews for a certain period.
The work can pertain to debris removal, road stripping, and pothole patching, among other tasks.
Work zones will be clearly marked with signage, channelizing devices, barrier, or work vehicles with lights.
Construction personnel, contractors, and city and county road departments are expected to comply with the law.
To avoid any confusion, all mobile work zones will feature signs that will display “mobile work zones/fines double” so that drivers can easily identify when they are entering a mobile work area.
If a driver goes over the speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour, they can be hit with a $500 fine.
With this new law, drivers could be facing $1,000 in fees.
Some Jonesboro residents are hopeful that the new law could improve safety conditions for construction workers, while other drivers don’t understand the appeal.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea. I work for Delta Asphalts, so I’m out on the roads constantly,” said Heath Farmer.
“People drive super-fast going through our construction zone, so yeah, I think it’s a great idea.”
Meanwhile, another Arkansas driver said they can’t get behind the additional fines.
“I don’t like it at all, I think it’s dumb, anytime extra money is involved, like fines for people doing their job, I’m not for it, I’m not with it at all, I think it’s ridiculous,” said Jase Robinson.
What is reckless driving?
Laws across the country are cracking down on careless drivers who endanger other people on the road. Here are some behaviors that are considered reckless driving:
- Speeding
- Street racing
- Aggressive driving/road rage
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence
- Using a phone while driving
- Running red lights
- Inattentive driving
- Improperly changing lanes
- Not signaling
- Carrying too many passengers
- Weaving in and out of traffic
The state’s Department of Transportation is also taking other precautions to improve highway safety.
To aid road workers and improve visibility on bright, sunny days or in foggy conditions, there will be flashing green lights to light a clearer pathway.
New information regarding driving safety in work zones will also be included in the Arkansas driver’s manual.
Not only that, Arkansas drivers will be tested on their driving safety knowledge for the written driver’s license test.
Questions could pertain to the effects and hazards of unsafe driving through a highway work zone, penalties for doing so, and specific data regarding the highway work zone violations.
The state hopes that these additions will help spread awareness about the dangers of driving recklessly in a work zone.
“It’s really just another tool in our belt to get the public’s attention that in these mobile work zones, static work zones, whatever you want to call them, any work zones period, you have got to slow down, and you have to put the distraction down,” said Dave Parker, Arkansas Department of Transportation Head of Public Information Division.
”So that is the number one rule that went into effect on Tuesday. It’s kind of a team effort, these are not laws aimed at adding a bunch of violations or writing a bunch of tickets, these are laws that are designed to keep everyone safe, and that’s a win-win,” he added.
