While they may be a huge inconvenience, especially in rush hour traffic, keep in mind that penalties for some traffic violations in a work zone are much steeper. Even if there are no workers present, as long as there are signs properly denoting the work zone, speeding in a work zone is defined as a “misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.” The fees for this are not less than $100 and will not exceed $2,000. A person convicted of speeding in a work zone can also spend up to 12 months in jail. Heavier penalties also apply for failing to yield in a work zone.
11 Alive reports that alcohol may have been a factor in an accident that killed a construction worker on 285/85.
The crash occurred early on Sunday morning on I-285 near Cascade Road.
22-year-old Nadia Butterfield has been arrested in connection to the crash. Police believe she may have been driving while intoxicated.
When police arrived at the scene at about 2:30 a.m., they found that Butterfield had entered the closed portion of the interstate and struck a guardrail. Her vehicle continued traveling along the guardrail before it struck a construction worker. She then collided with a parked construction vehicle.
21-year-old Chad Mickler, the construction worker who was hit in the accident, was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Currently, Butterfield is charged with reckless driving and homicide by vehicle. These charges could change depending on the outcome of a blood test.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the number of work zone crashes resulting in a fatality is rising. There were 23 such accidents in 2014. That number rose to 55 in 2017. In 2018, there were 52 fatalities in work zones.
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