New safety enforcement program for Express Lanes is underway along the I-70 Mountain Corridor

On June 21, the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (the government-owned business within CDOT that oversees Colorado’s Express Lanes) began enforcing safety violations on the I-70 Mountain Express Lanes. The program encourages safe driving in the Express Lanes by using sophisticated roadside technology to enforce Express Lane rules. Violators identified by this technology will be issued a civil penalty via mail based on the registered address of the vehicle’s license plate. These violations include:

1. Driving in the Express Lane when signage indicates that it’s closed — except in an emergency or as an authorized emergency vehicle.
2. Weaving in and out of the Express Lanes and general-purpose lanes over the solid yellow line.
3. Driving in the Express Lanes in an oversized vehicle with more than two axles or exceeding 25 feet in length. This includes travel trailers, RVs, vehicles hauling boats or trailers, semitrucks, etc.

Enforcement began on June 21 with a month-long grace period. During the grace period, drivers will receive warnings in the mail when they are recorded committing a violation. Starting July 21, violators will be issued civil penalties starting at $75 for a first offense if paid within 20 days of issuance. After 20 days, the fine increases to $150.

The I-70 Mountain Express Lanes are designed to relieve congestion during peak periods, such as holidays and weekends. They operate as shoulders during other times and are intended only for emergencies and breakdowns when closed. Weaving in and out of Express Lanes increases risks of an accident because of significant speed differentials between traffic in the Express Lanes versus the general purpose lanes. Meanwhile, driving oversize vehicles in the narrow Mountain Express Lanes can also result in a crash. Finally, driving in the Mountain Express Lanes when they are closed is extremely dangerous, as a motorist could crash into a stopped vehicle, including those driven by law enforcement officers and maintenance workers. The goal of this program is to prevent these dangerous behaviors and improve safety for all roadway users on the I-70 Mountain Corridor. Learn more at http://codot.gov/programs/expresslanes/safety-enforcement-program.