The Dubuque Police Department, along with the Dubuque City Attorney, would like to remind motorists of the importance of abiding by traffic control signs/devices in and around the many construction zones within our city.
Several areas within the city are currently affected by construction that will ultimately result in improvements that benefit all motorists. Violating construction zone signage & signals can not only result in motorists being ticketed, it more importantly jeopardizes the safety of construction workers within said zones.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, over the last 10 years, the number of persons killed annually in motor vehicle crashes in construction zones has increased by 45%. Each year, more than 40,000 people are injured as a result of motor vehicle crashes in construction zones. Fines and punishment increase significantly if a motorist’s failure to obey traffic signs & signals result in injury or death to a construction worker. Even if no worker is hurt or killed, speeding violations start at $150 and can go as high as $1000 (base fine without court cost & surcharge). Other moving violations within construction zones can be doubled.
Motorists are not only encouraged to abide by the traffic control signs/devices, but should consider taking alternate routes to avoid the construction zones and detours all together. Motorists are also reminded that driving into a construction zone that is posted “Road Closed To Through Traffic” means that unless you reside or have legitimate business within the zone, you could be cited for driving in or through the zone.