State Police Troop T issues more than 700 tickets for work zone violations on the Thruway during National Work Zone Awareness Week

Last week, New York State Police Troop T issued 747 tickets for violations in work zones located along the 570 miles of the New York State Thruway. The targeted enforcement was in support of National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 20-24), which promotes work zone safety, urging drivers to slow down, stay alert and follow New York State’s Move Over Law to protect highway and roadside workers.

The 747 work zone violations issued throughout the week were for the following:

• 452  -  Speeding
• 47   -   Move Over Law violations
• 45   -   Cell phone/electronic device use
• 203 -   Other vehicle and traffic law violations

As part of Work Zone Awareness Week, Troop T conducted two six-hour Operation Hard Hat enforcement details in Thruway work zones in Westchester and Rockland Counties. Operation Hard Hat entails troopers posing as workers embedded in an active work zone to identify violations and then advise uniformed troopers in the area to take enforcement actions.

In just the 12-hour period that encompassed Operation Hard Hat, 313 of the week’s total 747 tickets were issued, including 197 for speeding, 28 for cell phone/electronic device use and 27 for Move Over Law, along with other vehicle and traffic violations.

Motorists are reminded to put safety first: slow down and obey the posted work zone speed limit, stay alert, put the phone down, and move over when possible.

While Work Zone Awareness Week has wrapped up, the State Police’s vigilance and commitment to safeguarding work zones and protecting the lives of workers does not end. State Police will continue conducting additional enforcement details throughout the 2026 construction season to encourage safe driving in highway work zones.