New Kent County to enforce automated speed checks on I-64
VENN
NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The New Kent County Sheriff's Office will soon start automated speed enforcement in work zones on Interstate 64 to increase safety for construction workers and other drivers.
There's been an increase of crashes on I-64 in New Kent County during road construction due to speeding and dangerous driving behavior, and as a result, the sheriff's office will implement automated speed enforcement in work zones.
In 2023, authorities reported a total of 240 vehicle crashes -- 84 single vehicle, 129 two vehicle and 27 involving three or more vehicles. The next year, the number increased 85% to 444 crashes in the New Kent County portion of I-64 -- with 129 single vehicle crashes, 190 two vehicle and 125 crashes involving three or more vehicles.
According to a press release from New Kent County Sheriff's Office, the new vehicle-based enforcement automated speed system will help support a larger-scale construction project on I-64, to offer a safer work zone environment for both drivers and workers. The speed system will be a monitored truck with with an LiDAR camera in the bed of it to monitor each travel lane individually -- flagging drivers that are gong over 10 mph over the speed limit.
New Kent County officials will be partnering with Blue Line Solutions, who have assisted the county with lowering speeding incidents in the school zones by 95%, to emulate the school zone enforcement model in construction zones.
On Tuesday, July 1, the county will kick off its 30-day warning period, where those who violate speed regulations will receive a warning letter in the mail advising the date and time the violation took place. Officials say the warning violations serves as a reminder for drivers to slow down in work zones.
The official date for live enforcement will begin on Aug. 1, and drivers that exceed the speed limit over 10 mph in the work zone areas will receive a summons in the mail. The summons are civil and carry a fine of $100, but officials warn not to come with points against your license or penalties on insurance.
New Kent County Sheriff's Office recommends drivers to practice safe driving behaviors and decrease speed to ensure the safety of construction workers, as well as other drivers in the community.
