Fines doubled for orange zone violations
REGINA, Sask. – Drivers speeding through highway construction and maintenance or “Orange Zones” in Saskatchewan will now pay heftier fines.
As of Aug. 1, drivers exceeding 60 km-h when passing a highway worker or flag person will see an increase in base fines from $70 to $140, plus $2 for each km/h over the speed limit they drive. Drivers exceeding 30 km-h over the 60 km-h speed limit will receive the $140 base fine plus $4 for each km-h over the speed limit they drive.
Work zone fines have not been increased since 1991. SGI, the Department of Justice, Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation and the RCMP agreed it was time to target speeders by imposing heavier fines.
“When drivers enter a work zone at an excess speed, they are endangering the lives of flag persons and work crews,” Highways and Transportation Minister Maynard Sonntag said.
In the last five years, police have responded to 145 Orange Zone accidents in Saskatchewan. It’s estimated there are 150 near-miss accidents in Orange Zones each year caused by drivers exceeding the posted speed limits. n
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