I appreciate the attention Cape Gazette and many local residents have given to the speed camera on Route 1 near the Minos Conaway Road work zone north of Lewes, including the recent deeper dive into DelDOT’s enforcement data.
No one disputes that speeding through active work zones creates dangerous conditions for workers and motorists alike. That concern is why many of us initially supported the camera’s installation alongside clear signage and radar speed feedback. But as the data shows, a substantial number of citations have accumulated at this location, even when construction activity was minimal or nonexistent.
The data shared by DelDOT shows that a significant number of citations were issued during the monthlong reporting period. While enforcement is an important safety tool, it is reasonable to question whether the same level of penalty should apply at all times. When construction workers are not present and no active work is occurring, the safety dynamics are different. Enforcement policies should reflect that reality.
Moreover, a Cape Gazette letter writer recently suggested tiered enforcement: strict fines for speeds well above the limit (such as 65 mph and up) when workers are present, but warnings or reduced fines when there is no active work ongoing. This is a pragmatic and compassionate idea that deserves serious consideration.
Work zones can and should be safe places, but enforcement practices should be proportionate, transparent and tied directly to when and where actual risks exist.
I urge DelDOT and state leaders to adopt adjustments that phase fines based on real-time work zone activity, to communicate that approach clearly to the public and to consider warning notices in situations where activity is not present. This ensures that safety – not revenue – remains the core mission of automated enforcement.
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