Governor Kay Ivey recently signed a very controversial bill into law on Tuesday that divided lawmakers in the final days of the legislative session and nearly died before gaining approval on the last day of the session.
The new law would establish the Alabama Work Zone Safety Act as a pilot program with a 2028 sunset, to authorize the Alabama Department of Transportation and Alabama Toll Road, Bridge, and Tunnel Authority to procure, install and operate an automated photographic speed enforcement system in one segment of interstate highway declared to be a work zone. The cameras would issue $250 tickets to those exceeding the work zone speed limit by 10 miles per hour.
The House version of the bill, by State Rep. Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro), failed in March to garner the 60% support needed to pass the budget isolation resolution before a vote on the bill could occur.
The House then passed the Senate version of the bill, sponsored by State Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino), in April, but added an amendment removing $250 civil fines for speeding in a highway construction zone after a surprise amendment by State Rep. Jim Hill (R-Moody). The Senate voted not to concur with the House changes, and members of both bodies met in a joint conference committee. The conference committee version reinstated the $250 fine, and it passed both legislative bodies on the final day of the session.
Ivey signed the bill into law on Tuesday, touting it as a safety mechanism for workers and motorists.
"Currently in Alabama, there is roadwork ongoing in all 67 counties, including on our major roadways. It is just critical that we all drive carefully through work zones," Ivey said. "I was proud to put my signature on the Alabama Work Zone Safety Act that will help us improve safety around our roadwork and the enforcement mechanisms going forward. As we are rebuilding Alabama in all 67 counties, let's keep the men and women doing the hard work, as well as our fellow motorists and ourselves, safe!"
The proceeds of the fines would be distributed evenly between the Public Safety Fund and the Public Road and Bridge Fund. The new law goes into effect immediately, and Ivey's office said full enforcement should begin by the end of the year. ALDOT, the Bridge and Tunnel Authority, or a third party can place the photographic systems.
"The Alabama Work Zone Safety Act is about protecting the men and women who work hard each and every day to keep our roads safe and functional," Carnley said. "The Alabama Work Zone Safety Act gives us a smart, data-driven approach to improving safety in some of the most dangerous areas on our roads while holding reckless drivers accountable. I appreciate my colleagues in the Legislature for their support in advancing this measure and thank Governor Ivey for her leadership in signing this important legislation into law."
"Our highway workers deserve to return home safely at the end of every workday, and this law will help make that happen," Kirkland added. "By implementing innovative tools to slow drivers down in work zones, we are taking a meaningful step toward preventing tragic accidents and saving lives. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Legislature for their support and to Governor Ivey for her continued commitment to public safety across Alabama."
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