The Arkansas Highway Police, a division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, is deploying new work zone camera technology that can now detect handheld device usage by drivers.
Currently, Arkansas Highway Police use cameras in interstate work zones to identify speeding violations. By mid-January, the same camera systems will also detect when a driver is holding or using a handheld device, including a cell phone, while traveling through a work zone.
“It is against Arkansas law to use a handheld device in a work zone,” said Jeff Holmes, chief of the Arkansas Highway Police. “Until now, the hands-free law in work zones has been relatively difficult to enforce. This new technology will help us keep road workers and the traveling public safer.”
Officials stress the cameras are not used for ticket-by-mail enforcement. An officer must be present for a warning or citation to be issued. When the system detects a driver holding a device, it alerts an officer stationed downstream, who can safely stop the vehicle after it exits the work zone.
Drivers will see signage alerting them when they are entering a work zone with camera enforcement. Under Arkansas law, data captured by the cameras is not retained unless it is used to issue a warning or citation.
“Safety is our top priority at ARDOT,” said Jared Wiley, director of the Arkansas Department of Transportation. “This technology is another tool to help ensure the safety of workers, motorists, and officers in work zones across the state.”
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