Increased fines are small price to pay to protect road construction workers

Unlike many places that have four seasons Ohio has two: winter and orange barrel.

In this episode of Legally Speaking on WFMJ Today Brian Kopp, leaders of BK’s complex litigation practice group, discusses construction zone traffic laws and dispenses wound advice on how to avoid violating them and, more importantly the things we can all do to road keep workers safe. Click here to Watch the episode.

As Brian notes, these laws are designed to protect construction workers. “Many of us have family members who work on road projects here and across Ohio,” he told host Steve Vescey. “We may not like slowing down or sitting in traffic, but it’s a small price to pay to help keep workers safe on the job.”

Imposing steep fines for violations in construction zones is one way to accomplish that goal.

“We get so many calls. ‘Hey, why is my speeding fine doubled because of this?’ Well, read the signs. They’re there for a reason and they’re not a suggestion, they’re the law,” Atty Kopp continued.

“Doubled fines for speeding in a construction zone is law most people are familiar with, but there are others and municipalities have the power to increase the penalties imposed by state law,” he said.

“Construction companies don’t have a lot of discretion when it comes to setting up work zones,” Atty. Kopp said. “The rules are prescribed by the Ohio Administrative Code and cover things like speed limits in work zones, the length of time people have to merge, and newly adopted move over laws that require drivers to move over when you see the flashing lights of a law enforcement or emergency vehicle.”

“In our experience, waiting too long to merge or trying to force your way into a lane is one of the most common causes of crashes in works zones—and one truckers are guilty of far too often,” Atty. Kopp commented.

I do have to say I’m amazed that construction workers seem immune to the cars and trucks traveling so close to them,” he said. I couldn’t stand out there without jumping out of the way 10 times a day.”

Which brings to mind the tragic incident that took the life of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton last year,” Atty. Kopp recalled. “Trooper Cayton was parked on the side of Route 11 in Canfield dealing with a disabled truck when another truck smashed into the back of his car and killed him. It was one of the greatest losses we’ve seen in Ohio in quite some time.”

“We have the honor and privilege of representing his family and the crash not only underscores the importance of our traffic laws, it puts things in perspective: slowing down, driving carefully, waiting when necessary are small prices to pay to prevent catastrophic crashes like the one that claimed Trooper Cayton’s life.”

Brian ended the episode by offering sound advice to motorists:

“Number one don’t follow Betras through a construction zone.

Number two: follow the law and obey the posted signs.

Number three: put down your cell phone or handheld device. Many crashes we deal with are caused by distracted driving. People are used to dropping speed in work zones, but they won’t drop their phones and that puts your wallet at risk and threatens the safety—and lives—of construction workers.