The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is reminding motorists that breaking the law in Indiana's highway work zones will result in stiff fines and possible jail time.

"Every year, Hoosier motorists and highway workers lose their lives in Indiana's highway work zones," said INDOT Commissioner Karl B. Browning. "With record-breaking highway construction going on around the state thanks to Major Moves, work zone crashes are more of a concern now than ever before. Indiana's new law sends drivers the message that driving recklessly and speeding in our state's work zones is extremely dangerous and simply unacceptable."

Under the new work zone law that took effect July 1, the first time a driver is cited for speeding in a work zone, they will face a $300 fine. If drivers still do not get the message to slow down, they will be fined $500 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense within three years. Motorists who drive recklessly or aggressively through a work zone face fines up to $5,000. Drivers who injure or kill a highway worker may find themselves paying a $10,000 fine or serving up to eight years behind bars. Fines generated from the new work zone law will be used to fund additional work zone patrols.

To alert drivers to the new law, signs will be posted around the state warning motorists of the tougher penalties. The signs will read "Speeding Max $1,000, Reckless Driving Max 8 Years." The signs will be posted in advance of state highway work zones, state maintenance work zones and municipal work zones.

The new work zone penalties were established by House Bill 1623 in this year's Indiana legislative session and signed into law by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels on May 22. The law is designed to protect both Indiana highway workers and Hoosier motorists. Four out of five people killed in highway work zones are motorists. In 2006, 14 people were killed and 636 were injured in Indiana's highway work zones.