The Michigan House and Senate last month adopted a bill that would make it a felony for motorists to injure or kill construction workers because of drunk or reckless driving. Gov. John Engler is expected to sign it.

Introduced by GOP Sen. Bill Bullard, Jr., the Injuring Highway Construction Workers Act is a response to increased road construction over the last several years - and the increase in road worker injuries and fatalities.

Under the legislation, motorists driving drunk who are responsible for causing injury or death to workers in construction zones would be charged with a felony plus larger fines. A conviction would bring a maximum sentence of up to 15 years.

The bill would also mandate denial or revocation of the motorist's license if he or she is found guilty for the reckless death of a highway construction zone worker. The legislation goes well beyond the current law, which doubles penalties in work zones but does not necessarily mandate a charge of a felony.

Bullard said the measures complements legislation addressing the injury or death of police officers and emergency services personnel that was passed into law last year.

"Establishing tough penalties for violating construction zone speed limits and traffic controls sends a strong, clear message to all drivers that those orange barrels and cautionary signs must be obeyed," he said. . We need to ensure our highway construction workers are just as safe and well protected."