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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2025
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New MTA Study Reveals 95 Percent of Drivers Speeding in Active Work Zones
PORTLAND, MAINE —Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) today released the results of a comprehensive summer study on vehicle speeds in active work zones. The findings reveal several concerning patterns that endanger travelers, MTA employees, construction workers, and first responders. The study aimed to capture real-time conditions where workers are present, using roadside radar devices rather than assumptions, anecdotes, or after-the-fact impressions.
“Our troopers witness the impact of speeding in work zones every day. Those impacts often include families stuck in traffic delays, secondary crashes caused by sudden braking, and workers who narrowly avoid disaster. Driving just 10 mph over the work-zone speed limit significantly reduces reaction time, while going 20 or 30 mph over the limit can pose a serious risk. We need drivers to slow down, pay attention, and treat work zones as if someone’s life depends on it—because it truly does. We ask everyone to do their part by following the rules of the road to enhance safety, particularly for those working in our work zones,” said Lt. Jodell Wilkinson of the Maine State Police, Troop G.
Between July and October, the MTA collected speed data only when workers were on site at 13 active work zones. The results show that dangerous speeding is common and excessive
- In July, nearly 80% of all drivers exceeded the posted work-zone speed limit.
- 42% of vehicles were traveling more than 21 mph over the limit, even with crews just feet away.
- In September, 95% of drivers were speeding, despite high visibility, signage, and barriers.
- MTA documented multiple vehicles traveling over 100 mph through active work zones.
These findings highlight what MTA crews, contractors, and emergency personnel face daily: high-speed traffic passing through areas where workers have minimal margin for error and no physical protection from runaway vehicles.
The speed data highlights the severe danger our crews, contractors, emergency personnel, and the traveling public face in work zones,” said MTA Executive Director Andre Briere. “From 2020 to 2024, 16 people lost their lives in work zone crashes in Maine. These findings make it clear that we need more effective tools to help prevent future tragedies.”
Work zone crashes not only put lives at risk, but they also cause major delays, secondary crashes, and millions of dollars in unnecessary congestion and response costs. A single incident can close lanes for hours while first responders, tow operators, and maintenance crews work to stabilize the scene. With hundreds of MTA employees and contractors working across the Turnpike system each year and more than 1.6 billion miles traveled annually, creating and enforcing safe work zones remains a top priority for the MTA.
“Maine’s workers deserve to go home safely at the end of every shift,” Briere said. “And Maine’s drivers deserve safe, predictable travel without the needless delays and dangers that come from speeding in work zones. We can and must do better.”
This study offers the clearest picture of on-the-ground conditions and emphasizes MTA’s ongoing dedication to protecting the people who build, maintain, and travel Maine’s roads every day.
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