In the near future, we plan to introduce “Josh’s Law”, which will permit the use of mobile automated work zone safety enforcement systems in lane-restricted work zones in Pennsylvania.

Each day, road construction workers across Pennsylvania work near active traffic, often under hazardous and unpredictable conditions. Reduced speeds and shifts in traffic patterns require all motorists to remain cautious. Failure to adhere to these conditions has resulted in serious consequences, including injury and loss of life. One such construction worker, who was an employee of a Beaver County business, recently lost his life in a work zone. He was a decorated Army veteran, who served his country valiantly as a minesweeper. Josh, who risked his life daily during three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was struck and killed by a careless driver in 2020 while placing traffic cones in a work zone, leaving behind a wife and 3 children. Josh is one of many construction workers to be needlessly killed on the job; 898 individuals have lost their lives in roadside work zones in 2023 alone according to the National Safety Council.

To address these preventable deaths, our legislation authorizes mobile automated work zone safety systems to direct traffic and cite unsafe driving in lane-restricted work zones. Using a portable setup that is temporarily installed in a work zone, the system directs motor vehicle traffic in one or more lanes on a highway without the use of human flaggers. The system consists of a traffic signal, a gate and at least one camera and one computer that records instances when vehicles pass designated stopping points.

If a vehicle drives past the signal gate after several visual warnings, the system records images of the violation and sends the images to law enforcement for their review. If law enforcement determines a violation occurred based on the recorded images, a financial penalty is issued to the registered vehicle owner. This system is a proven technology being used in several other states and has protected the lives of thousands of construction workers across our country.

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation that improves roadworker safety as well as the safety of motorists in work zones. Josh’s death was entirely preventable, and the Commonwealth’s road construction workers should not need to choose between jeopardizing their lives and providing for their families.