Work zone speed cameras catch thousands of drivers in first 90 days
Jul 31, 2025, 6:59 AM | Updated: 8:12 am
A photo of a Washington State Department of Transportation truck after a collision. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has issued 7,599 infractions for drivers speeding in road work zones across the state in the last 90 days, WSP confirmed.
The heightened number of infractions is a result of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) decision to implement speeding cameras in work zones.
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Washington has averaged 1,345 work zone crashes each year since 2020, WSDOT confirmed.
Drivers speeding through work zones are not penalized on their first infraction during the year-long camera trial period. Second infractions and subsequent violations will be charged $248 each. Of the 7,599 infractions the WSP recorded, 262 of them were second offenses.
“While the number of infractions has been high during the first 30 days of operation, we hope to see a reduction of speeding through work zones as the word gets out about this new safety tool,” WSP Chief John Batiste said, according to KIRO 7.
Beginning July 2025, a $125 fine will be implemented for drivers’ first work zone speeding offenses.
In addition to the 7,599 infractions in the last 90 days, there are currently 3,963 infractions still being processed.
“This isn’t about writing tickets and fining motorists; this is about slowing inattentive drivers down and saving lives,” Batiste said.
The work-zone cameras only issue speeding infractions when workers are present. WSP noted that workers could be on site during the day or night, and advised drivers to remain cautious through these zones regardless of the time of day.
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