PennDOT and the turnpike commission, in partnership with state police, began enforcing the statewide Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program Tuesday.

Gov. Josh Shapiro in December signed a bill making permanent the initial five-year pilot program that was set to expire in February.

The program uses vehicle-mounted electronic speed timing devices to record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by at least 11 mph, officials said in a release. Camera systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present.

Officials said work zones using speed safety cameras are marked with high-visibility signs before the enforcement area to improve driver awareness and ensure the signs are noticed.

“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,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in the release. “Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we’re pleased that it’s now a permanent program in Pennsylvania.”

During the pilot program, officials said, there was a 38% reduction in speeding in work zones (1 mph or more over the speed limit), a 47% reduction in excessive speeding in work zones (11 mph or more over the speed limit), and an up to 50% decline in work zone crashes when a speed enforcement vehicle was present.

Some changes were made under the new legislation that took effect Feb. 15:

• A new 15-day warning period beginning on the mail date of the first violation. If a driver is caught speeding in a work zone by the cameras, they will not receive a second violation until 15 days after the mail date of their first violation.

Officials said this allows time for the warning to be delivered to the motorist to ensure they are aware of the program and change their driving behavior. After that 15-day warning period, multiple violations can be received on consecutive days and even on the same day.

• All violations are reset, meaning every motorist will start over with a first violation, even if they had received violations under the pilot program. Officials said violations issued before Feb. 15 during the pilot program remain valid and will be pursued.

Registered 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. These violations are civil penalties only, and no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses, officials said.

For more information, go to WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

Delaware and Schuylkill counties were among the counties removed from the watch list.

Residents under a drought watch are asked to cut their daily water use by 5% to 10%, or by three to six gallons.

Tips to conserve

• Run the dishwasher and washing machine less often and only with full loads.

• Shorten the time you let the water run to warm up before showering, and take shorter showers. The shower and toilet are the two biggest indoor water guzzlers.

• Check for and repair household leaks. For example, a leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water daily.

• Install low-flow plumbing fixtures and aerators on faucets.

• Replace older appliances with high-efficiency, front-loading models that use about 30% less water and 40% to 50% less energy.

For a map of drought declarations updated daily, see the DEP drought web page.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency announced that there has been an increase in scams following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling impacting the Federal Student Loan Debt Cancellation Program.

The court ruled June 30 that the Biden administration lacked authority under a 2003 federal law to cancel or reduce federal student loan debts for millions.

“Student loan borrowers are the unfortunate prey of unscrupulous scammers who capitalize on confusion surrounding loan forgiveness and repayment plans,” state Sen. Wayne Fontana of Allegheny County and chairman of the PHEAA board, said in a press release. “Students and borrowers must protect themselves from harm by remaining vigilant and keeping well-informed of the latest techniques scammers are employing to steal their identity and defraud them of money.”

Scammers stole an estimated $5 billion from Americans in student loan-related scams, state officials said, citing a recent report.

“While we at PHEAA pride ourselves in providing Pennsylvania students and their families with the resources necessary to avoid student loan debt, we understand that student loans are used by many to close the financial gap,” said James H. Steeley, PHEAA president and CEO. “Properly managing that student loan debt is critical to ensuring a life of financial stability, which means protecting themselves from becoming a victim, especially when asked by anyone to provide personal information.”

Scammers’ methods for contacting borrowers include social media, text messages, emails and phone calls. They may pose as government representatives and have look-alike government websites and logos to trick people, officials said.

Borrowers are advised to go to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, StudentAid.gov, for information about available student loan debt relief and repayment plans.

Officials offered these warning signs:

• The company claims to be associated with the Education Department or a federal loan servicer but does not have your loan details readily available in their system.

• You receive out-of-the-blue calls, emails or text messages claiming to be from the government. In general, the government will not attempt to contact you this way unless you grant permission.

• Scammers often attempt to charge for programs and services that borrowers can access for free. Loan forgiveness, loan consolidation, student loan forbearance and deferment are provided at no charge by your federal loan servicer.

• Some consumers have been asked to sign a power of attorney or other third-party authorization so they can make changes to their account. Don’t give this power to someone unless you know and trust them.

• Scammers might say that you have a limited time to take advantage of an offer or program. Take your time. An honest company will not pressure you to decide quickly. If there’s any doubt, end the conversation and research the company to confirm whether it is legitimate.

• Consumers reported being asked for their Social Security number, bank information, FSA ID, and StudentAid.gov login information.  If you’ve shared your personal information with someone whom you suspect to be a scammer, log in and change your account password as soon as possible. You should also check your account information — contact email, address and phone number — to make sure it’s still accurate.

• Scammers will often encourage consumers to stop communicating with their loan servicer. It’s crucial you maintain communication with your loan servicer. Avoid any company that urges you to make payments to their company instead of your loan servicer or to stop communicating with your loan servicer.

If you think you’ve been targeted by a scammer or may be a victim:

• If you realize after the fact, contact your bank to cancel or block your scheduled payment. Banks should have policies in place to help you avoid future fraudulent activity.

• Contact your servicer. They can help you protect your account. If you signed a power of attorney giving the scammer the right to communicate with your servicer on your behalf, get it revoked.

• Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission or the Education Department’s Office of Inspector General.

Troopers from Troop T will be in construction vehicles to monitor work zones, looking for motorists ignoring work zone speed limits, officials said in a release.

The enforcement, dubbed “Operation Orange Squeeze,” is an initiative the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission started almost a decade ago with state police to make the safety of construction workers and turnpike work crews a priority.

Last year saw eight reported work zone intrusions in turnpike work zones, resulting in two injuries. Officials said 45 turnpike workers have lost their lives on duty since 1940.

“A key part of our joint mission is our ongoing commitment to safety,” said Mark Compton, turnpike commission CEO. “While we implement many safety measures in our work zones for the safety of both our workers and customers, we need drivers to work with us to ensure work zones are safe for everyone. That’s why we urge motorists to slow down and never drive distractedly, especially in work zones.”

In April, the first Operation Orange Squeeze conducted on the turnpike since before the pandemic resulted in troopers issuing 436 citations, 395 warnings and two DUI arrests, officials said.

“The goal is to make sure people are aware,” said Cpl. Joe May of Troop T. “It’s not so much the enforcement side of things but the safety aspect and how important it is to slow down.”

Officials said motorists caught driving 11 mph or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed automatically lose their license for 15 days.

Officials noted that fines for certain traffic violations — including speeding, driving under the influence and failure to obey traffic devices — are doubled for active work zones.

The law also provides for up to five years of additional jail time for people convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash in an active work zone, they said..

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

June 19, known as Juneteenth National Freedom Day, is an official annual observance in Pennsylvania. Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas – the furthest point in the South – with news of the end of the Civil War. Juneteenth is a day to commemorate emancipation and the steps taken toward freedom.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

Officials said 65% of the proceeds from the license plate will be deposited into the fund, which supports efforts to reinvigorate the populations of insects that  pollinate plant life. The plate costs $38, with $25 going to the fund.

The fund will create naturalized gardens and meadows planted with pollinator-friendly species of flowering plants specifically for bees, butterflies, beetles and other insects that may have been adversely affected by the loss of their native habitat, officials said. With more flowering plants to provide sustenance, these insects will be given a chance to thrive in these reclaimed areas.

The program also aims to help reverse the decline of federally listed threatened or endangers species, such as the monarch butterfly.

“The importance of supporting a healthy pollinator population in Pennsylvania – a state that depends on agriculture as part of its economy – cannot be overstated,” PennDOT Acting Secretary Mike Carroll said in a release. “Developing habitats for this important group of insects contributes to both the environmental and economic health of our Commonwealth, and PennDOT is proud to offer a license plate to help support these important efforts.”

The Pollinator license plate is available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.

The license plate features the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white, and gold and depicts an image of a monarch butterfly, honeybee and green sweat bee visiting a flower.

Applicants for the Pollinator license plate must submit a completed application for special fund registration plate.

More information is available on PennDOT’s website.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.

Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.