Indiana enacts laws to improve traffic safety

Indianapolis – Indiana lawmakers recently strengthened protection for road construction workers by increasing penalties for drivers caught speeding and driving recklessly through work zones.

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) on April 27 signed into law Senate Bill 338 (.pdf file), which builds on legislation passed in 2007 to improve work zone safety. Drivers caught speeding or driving recklessly in work zones will face fines of at least $300 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense. The law is scheduled to go into effect July 1.

In other news, Daniels signed a bill prohibiting all drivers from texting while driving. Indiana is the 32nd state to enact a texting ban. Violators will face a maximum fine of $500 under the bill. The law will extend the state’s current texting ban for drivers younger than 18, who are prohibited from all cell phone use.