Work zone tickets in Missouri: the extra fines

What are the extra fines?

From RSMo 304.582:

Violation in a work zone	First	Second or later
Any moving violation	$35 added	$75 added
Speeding or passing, with a highway worker in the zone	$250 added	$300 added

Each is "in addition to any other fine authorized by law." You don't get both. If the $250 applies, the $35 doesn't.

When does the $250 apply?

When three things are true:

1. The violation was speeding or passing.
2. A highway worker was in the zone at the time.
3. Signs are posted that say, in substance, "Warning: Minimum $250 fine for speeding or passing in this work zone when workers are present."

Without the signs, the $250 can't be assessed.

Do work zone tickets have more points?

No. The law says the additional fines "shall not be construed to enhance the assessment of court costs or the assessment of points."

A state speeding ticket in a work zone is 3 points, the same as anywhere else.

Is passing in a work zone illegal?

Where signs tell drivers to merge and not pass, yes. It's also illegal on a two-lane highway work zone when workers or equipment are working and signs are posted. It's a class C misdemeanor.

What would a work zone speeding ticket cost?

Take 12 over with workers present and signs posted. The state schedule fine for 11 to 15 over is $80.50. Add $250. That's $330.50 before court costs.

Can the Driver Improvement Program help?

With the points, yes. Speeding is covered, and a work zone doesn't change that. The court has to approve it. The course doesn't reduce the fine.

What about phones in a work zone?

A hands-free law violation in a work zone with workers present carries a fine of up to $500. See Missouri's hands-free law.