LEWES, Del. - The Delaware Department of Transportation and Delaware State Police are reminding drivers that a new speed camera is now active on southbound Route 1 in the Minos Conaway Road Grade-Separated Intersection work zone near Lewes.
DelDOT first announced the upcoming activation of the speed camera on Oct. 7 to help ensure the safety of workers in the area. On Tuesday, Oct. 21, officials confirmed the camera was now active.
DelDOT says the first 21 days following the camera’s activation will be a warning period. Drivers who violate the speed restriction will receive no fine until Nov. 11. Then, first-offense violators will receive a base violation of $20 plus an additional amount added for each mile per hour over the posted work zone speed limit of 50 mph.
Second and subsequent offenses will incur higher fees, according to DelDOT. All violations will be considered civil penalties, and no points will be added to driver’s licenses.
Phase one of the Minos Conaway Road Grade-Separated Intersection began earlier this year, with officials expecting the full project to continue into the summer of 2028.
Terri Keller has lived in the area for 35 years and said speeding is an issue in the area.
"It's horrendous," Keller said. "It's almost become unbelievable how fast these cars can go. It's very scary. It's like they don't even realize that the speed limits go from 50 to 55, because they're not doing 55. They're doing 75."
Keller said she's hopeful the cameras will get drivers to slow down, for their sakes as well as construction workers' sakes. Keller said she thinks the speed limit could be even lower.
"That's a pretty lengthy construction zone, and to slow down to 50, I really think it should be 45," Keller said.
Mark Keyser has lived in the area for ten years and said he thinks the speed camera is unnecessary.
"I've seen people go faster than the speed limit, but it's not crazy speeds," Keyser said. "They're all just keeping up with each other. I think it's fine. I think they do slow down when they get to those barriers because you could hit one of those barriers. So you've got to be careful."
