Starting mid-January, if you’re driving in an Arkansas highway work zone, expect that a camera will see into your vehicle to know whether you’re illegally using a smart phone or other electronic device. ARDOT will display warning signs, and law enforcement will be ready to issue citations in person.
Read more below.
The Arkansas Highway Police (AHP), in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), is rolling out enhanced camera technology that not only detects speeding but also catches drivers using handheld devices like cell phones – an action that is illegal in work zones across the state.
Speed cameras have already been in use, but this update allows the system to identify when a driver is holding and using a phone behind the wheel.
AHP Chief Jeff Holmes explains that enforcing the hands-free law in work zones has traditionally been a challenge. “Until now, the hands-free law in work zones has been relatively difficult to enforce,” Holmes said. “This new technology will help us keep road workers and the traveling public safer.”
This is NOT an automated ticketing system that mails a citation. The camera sends real-time alerts to officers stationed beyond the work zone. If a violation is confirmed, an officer may then safely pull over the driver and issue a warning or citation. Data collected is only retained if it results in a formal action.
ARDOT emphasizes that signs will clearly indicate when drivers are entering a monitored work zone. Officials hope the system will not only enforce the law but serve as a deterrent to distracted driving.
“Safety is our top priority at ARDOT,” said ARDOT Director Jared Wiley. “Everyone deserves to make it home safely.”
Violating Arkansas’ distracted driving laws can be costly. Arkansas law prohibits the use of a hand-held cell phone for texting, typing, email or accessing the internet while driving, regardless of the driver’s age. It is also a “primary offense” law, which means a member of law enforcement can initiate a traffic stop without observing any other violation.
Fines for the phone use alone can range from:
- up to $250 for a first offense, and
- up to $500 for any subsequent offense.
Aside from a major traffic citation, drivers using electronic device in a work zone can cause injuries or death for workers present in the road. Arkansas law enforcement officers urge you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. If you need to text, then pull over and stop the vehicle.
The new enforcement tool comes as part of a broader effort to protect construction crews, motorists, and police officers working along busy highways. As drivers adapt to the changes, state officials encourage everyone to stay alert, slow down, and put the phone away while passing through work zones.
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