The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission started enforcement of the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program Thursday, March 7.

The program has been experimented with the past five years, according to a news release, and showed a 38% reduction in speeding in work zones and 50% reduction in work zone crashes.

“The Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program is about making work zones safer for both workers and motorists by reducing speeds and changing driver behavior,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we’re pleased that it’s now a permanent program in Pennsylvania.”

According to the release, the program uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 mph or more. The cameras only operate in active work zones where workers are present.

Vehicle owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice with a $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice with a $150 fine for third and all subsequent offenses, according to the release.

The program initially began as House Bill 1284 and was signed into law on Dec. 14 by Gov. Josh Shapiro.