Electronic Speed Safety Program in I-95 Restore the Corridor Construction Zone to Begin Issuing Violations

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) in partnership with the Delaware State Police announce the warning period for the Electronic Speed Safety Program in the I-95 construction zone in Wilmington ends on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Beginning Monday, April 18, 2022, first-time offenders will receive a warning and all subsequent violations will result in a violation notice. Registered vehicle owners will receive a base violation of $20.00 and an additional amount is added for each mile per hour over the posted work zone speed limit in accordance with Del. C. §4169(c).

For example, if the captured violation occurs at a speed of 58 mph, the speed violation is $20.00 plus an additional $13.00 which accounts for $1.00 for each mile per hour over the 45-mph posted work zone speed limit, and the assessment of other fees as set forth in Delaware Code for a total of $74.50. These violations are civil penalties only and no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses.

The goal of the pilot program is to reduce work zone speeds and crashes, change driver behavior, and improve work zone safety for workers and motorists. In 2021, there were 423 crashes in the I-95 work zone in Delaware, an increase of 49 percent in the same area from 2019.

To date, more than 24,000 warnings have been issued, and there has been a 10 percent reduction in speeds on average through the work zone since the program began in January. Additionally, crashes in the work zone have decreased by almost 37 percent compared to the same time period last year.

Use of automated speed enforcement was granted by the Delaware General Assembly in Section 142 of the FY22 Bond Bill as a pilot and only for Restore the Corridor work zone. More information about the program can be found at www.restorethecorridor.com.


Electronic Speed Safety Program to Begin in I-95 Restore the Corridor Construction Zone

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) in partnership with the Delaware State Police announce that beginning Monday, January 17, 2022, the pilot Electronic Speed Safety Program will be active only in the I-95 construction zone in Wilmington and will last until the end of the project. The goal of the pilot program is to reduce work zone speeds and crashes, change driver behavior, and improve work zone safety for workers and motorists. In 2021, there were 423 crashes in the I-95 work zone in Delaware, an increase of 49 percent in the same area from 2019.

The first 30 days of the program will be a warning period. After that warning notices will be mailed to motorists for the first violation of exceeding the posted work zone speed limit, and all subsequent violations will result in a violation notice. Registered vehicle owners will receive a base violation of $20.00 and an additional amount is added for each mile per hour over the posted work zone speed limit in accordance with Del. C. §4169(c).

For example, if the captured violation occurs at a speed of 58 mph, the speed violation is $20.00 plus an additional $13.00 which accounts for $1.00 for each mile per hour over the 45-mph posted work zone speed limit, and the assessment of other fees as set forth in Delaware Code for a total of $74.50. These violations are civil penalties only and no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses.

“We continue to see motorists traveling at speeds well above the posted speed limit and too many crashes are occurring in the construction zone,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.” We need to utilize all the tools available to reduce crashes, and this program is about protecting everyone’s safety.”

Colonel Melissa Zebley of the Delaware State Police added, “The sharp increase in collisions within the construction zone has been concerning and has put the motoring public and individuals in the work zone at risk. Recognizing that construction zones are problematic areas to conduct traditional speed enforcement, we believe this program will encourage motorists to slow down for the sake of the highway workers and their fellow motorists alike.”

Use of automated speed enforcement was granted by the Delaware General Assembly in Section 142 of the FY22 Bond Bill as a pilot and only for Restore the Corridor work zone. More information about the program can be found at www.restorethecorridor.com.


DNREC Lifts Shelter-in-Place Directive for Area in New Castle County

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has lifted a shelter-in-place directive that spanned a half-mile radius around the crash scene of this morning’s accident on Interstate-95 involving a trailer load of organic peroxide, which is considered a hazardous material. The order for the crash scene applied to the area around the intersection of I-95 and Airport Road, and was lifted in midafternoon as I-95 southbound reopened in the accident aftermath as the scene was being cleared.

DNREC Emergency Response and Prevention section began burning off the peroxide at the scene shortly after 1 p.m. The unified incident command determined that it was a safer option for emergency responders and the public than attempting to move the material. There are expected to be no lingering air quality impacts.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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DNREC Issues Shelter in Place Directive for New Castle County After I-95 Crash Involving Hazardous Material

Order Extends One-Half Mile from Scene Near Airport Road

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a shelter-in-place directive this afternoon for a half-mile radius around the crash scene of this morning’s accident on Interstate-95 involving a trailer load of organic peroxide, which is considered a hazardous material. The order for the crash scene applied to the area around the intersection of I-95 and Airport Road.

DNREC Emergency Response and Prevention Section began burning off the peroxide at the scene shortly after 1 p.m. so that it posed no further threat to public health or the environment.

I-95 remained closed in both directions while the DNREC Emergency Response and Prevention section worked with local agencies from New Castle County to clear the scene once the peroxide was burned off. Before the decision was made to thermally destroy the peroxide, DNREC Emergency Response and Prevention section had worked earlier with the local agencies, including the New Castle County fire service and decontamination unit ,to regain temperature control of the organic peroxide from this morning’s traffic accident that involved a pickup truck pulling the trailer bearing the peroxide colliding with a disabled vehicle on the roadway.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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I-95 Drive to Save Lives & Drive to Save Lives across Delaware – April 9th to 10th, 2021

Delaware- In 2014 the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) initiated the “Drive to Save Lives” campaign to reduce deaths on U.S. highways. The campaign targeted distracted and impaired driving, speeding, the use of seatbelts and the unsafe driving behaviors of operators of large trucks and buses. A combination of education and awareness, partnering with other agencies, and high-visibility traffic enforcement were used to achieve the campaign goals. These successful efforts gave the IACP a desire to continue the campaign annually.

Delaware State Police have coordinated the “Drive to Save Lives” efforts at least once a year, specifically on Delaware’s portion of I-95 for the past several years. Working alongside DSP there are 14 other participating state police and highway patrol agencies that patrol portions of I-95. Over the past four years DSP has taken their campaign coordination efforts a step further. In 2017, DSP began requesting other Delaware law enforcement agencies having patrol-related duties to be included in the campaign. As a result, numerous agencies throughout the state have been participating in this campaign. This year is proving to become the greatest teamwork effort with at least 30 Delaware municipal agencies slated to participate in the April 9th and 10th campaign.

Delaware’s Office of Highway Safety has continued to be a supporter of the “Drive to Save Lives” campaign. All law enforcement agencies, along with the Office of Highway Safety, are looking forward to working together during April’s campaign. With the Office of Highway Safety’s assistance, Delaware’s participating law enforcement agencies are better able to supply personnel for these high-visibility patrols.

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is pleased to support the Delaware State Police and municipal agencies from across the state in the “Drive to Save Lives” initiative. This is an opportunity for Delaware to participate in a nationwide event, focusing on multiple highway safety priorities, using data-driven enforcement methods and education to decrease the high-risk behaviors of drivers. These partners are committed to decreasing fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways and it’s initiatives like this that can help us achieve that goal,” Sarah Cattie, Traffic Safety Program Manager, Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

The Delaware State Police will be coordinating the I-95 effort, as well as the portion of the campaign that extends to other roadways throughout the state. DSP will be patrolling the state’s main corridors, while the municipal agencies will be patrolling their specific jurisdictions. The team of agencies will be highly motivated to perform traffic stops, educate operators, and issue citations. The ultimate goal is to provide education and enforcement that will lead to a decrease in the number of crashes throughout Delaware not only on April 9th and 10th, but into the future.

The Delaware State Police are proud to partner with our allied agencies around the State in the 2021 Drive to Save Lives campaign.  While utilizing education and proactive enforcement strategies, Troopers will engage motorists each day with the intention to enhance driver safety and reduce fatal and serious injury collisions.   Along with our highway safety partners, we are dedicated to this nationwide effort and to our shared goals of keeping Delawareans and our visitors safe.”  Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police

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About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. Follow the Delaware Office of Highway Safety on ArriveAliveDE.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.