Texas Construction Zone Laws: Doubled Fines, SB 1366 & Safety Rules (2026)
Texas construction zones are among the most dangerous areas on the road. Under SB 1366 (effective September 2025), fines are doubled when workers are present — and penalties can reach felony level.
SB 1366: What Changed
- Fines doubled when workers are present
- Aggravated assault charges possible if a worker is seriously injured
- Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders
- Applies to all state and federal highway construction zones
Texas Work Zone Crash Statistics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Work zone crashes (2024) | 27,900+ |
| Fatalities | 215 |
| Serious injuries | 1,100+ |
| Worker fatalities | 20+ |
Penalties
| Violation | Normal Fine | Work Zone (doubled) |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over | $100–$200 | $200–$400 |
| Speeding 11–20 mph over | $200–$400 | $400–$800 |
| Failure to obey flagger | $200 | $400 |
| Causing serious injury | Felony | Enhanced felony |
Safety Rules in Work Zones
- Flagger authority = same as a traffic signal. You must obey.
- Merge early: Use the zipper merge technique
- Reduce speed even if no workers are visible
- Increase following distance to 4+ seconds
- No phone use in work zones (best practice)
How to Dismiss a Work Zone Ticket
Many work zone speeding tickets qualify for dismissal through a TDLR-approved defensive driving course. 6 hours, 100% online, $28.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are fines doubled even at night?
Fines are doubled when workers are present. If no workers, standard fines apply but the reduced speed limit still applies.
What if there are no workers visible?
The posted work zone speed limit still applies. Fines double only when workers are present.
Can I lose my license for a work zone violation?
Repeated violations or serious injury cases can result in license suspension.
Is SB 1366 covered in the driving course?
Yes. Topic 4 (Traffic Laws) covers SB 1366 and construction zone safety.
Zonix Education LLC — TDLR-approved under 16 TAC Chapter 84.