The Province is increasing the fines for drivers caught speeding in Saskatchewan's construction zones.

Effective today, Saskatchewan's fines for speeding in the Orange Zone will be among the highest in the country.

Fines in the Orange Zone will now be a base of $210, up from $140.

Also, starting this fall, rumble strips will be used in prioritized work zones and gates that narrow the approach to construction zones will be installed.  Both devices are intended to slow traffic to 60 km/h in construction zones.

The ministry will review the effectiveness of these devices and develop guidelines for their use at other locations starting in the 2013 construction season.

Rules around Orange Zones can be more stringent in Saskatoon and Regina in that you have to obey the Orange Zone regardless of whether anyone is working, but in Saskatoon officers actually have a choice between charging you under the city bylaw for construction zones which starts with a base fine of 80 bucks or charging you under the Traffic Safety Act for Orange Zones which, as of today, starts at $210. 

The RCMP dedicated Traffic Unit has written over 415 tickets for speeding in a construction zone throughout the past two months.