Arkansas Work Zone Cameras See Handheld Device Use

The Arkansas Highway Police (AHP), a division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation, has introduced new work zone camera technology capable of detecting drivers using handheld devices such as cell phones. The system, which builds on existing camera enforcement used to identify speeding violations, sends alerts to nearby officers who can then stop drivers after they exit the work zone. Officials emphasize that the cameras assist officers in enforcing state laws rather than issuing automated tickets, as an officer must be present to issue a warning or citation. The initiative aims to improve safety for road workers, motorists, and law enforcement by strengthening enforcement of Arkansas’s hands-free law in work zones.