Work Zone Cameras Can Now Detect Drivers Using Cell Phones, ARDOT Says

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) announced that new work zone camera technology in Arkansas will soon detect drivers using handheld devices such as cell phones. The system, used by the Arkansas Highway Police (AHP), expands the current use of cameras that already identify speeding violations in interstate work zones. When a device-use or speeding violation is detected, the system alerts nearby officers, who must be present to stop the driver and issue a citation after the vehicle exits the work zone. The technology is intended to improve enforcement of Arkansas’s hands-free law in work zones and enhance safety for road workers, motorists, and law enforcement. ARDOT also noted that work zones with cameras will be clearly marked and that any collected data cannot be retained unless it is used to issue a warning or citation.