Minnesota Work Zone Laws

How Minnesota handles work zones

Minnesota charges a flat $300 for speeding in a work zone, plus the surcharge (Minn. Stat. §169.14 subd. 5d). It's a fixed penalty, not a doubling. On a 50-plus road the limit drops to 45 mph when a lane is closed and workers are present. Drive against a flagger's paddle and it's a petty misdemeanor, with the vehicle owner liable (§169.06 subd. 4a). The statewide hands-free law covers the zone. A warnings-only work-zone speed-camera pilot runs to 2029 (§169.147).

Speed, fines, phone, and the flagger

• Speed rule: Obey the posted work-zone limit. A statutory drop to 45 mph applies on a 50 mph or faster road when a lane is closed and workers are present. Speeding anywhere in a work zone is a flat $300 fine.
• Fine multiplier: $300 flat fine for speeding in a work zone, plus the state surcharge (Minn. Stat. §169.14 subd. 5d). A fixed enhanced penalty, not a doubling.
• Phone in a work zone: Restricted — put it down
• Flagger authority: A flagger may stop, hold, and direct you; driving in violation of a flagger's directions is a petty misdemeanor and the vehicle owner is liable (Minn. Stat. §169.06 subd. 4a).
• Base fine: $300 flat fine for work-zone speeding, plus the surcharge under §357.021 subd. 6.

More for Minnesota