Governor Kathy Hochul announced that April 15 to 19 is Work Zone Awareness Week across New York State with the national theme or “Work Zones are temporary. Actions behind the wheel can last forever.” At the Governor’s direction, state landmarks will be lit in orange on Wednesday, April 17 in honor of highway workers across New York State. The Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program operated by the State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Thruway Authority will continue this construction season as will “Operation Hardhat,” a work zone enforcement program carried out by state and local law enforcement agencies. Additionally, the NYSDOT will be launching a public awareness campaign on social media to raise awareness of the dangers highway workers face every day in work zones. The video is available here.
“New Yorkers owe our highway workers a debt of gratitude for the work that they do to keep our roadways functional and safe,” Hochul said. “The easiest way we can thank them is by driving safely through work zones and giving them plenty of space, making sure that they get home to their families everyday. I call on all New Yorkers to recognize the importance of highway workers as we commemorate National Work Zone Awareness Week.”
In 2023, the State Department of Transportation experienced 214 work zone traffic intrusions while constructing capital projects or performing highway maintenance activities. Additionally, there were nearly 200 crashes in Thruway work zones, leading to 37 injuries. The majority of crashes were caused by either distracted driving, following too closely, unsafe lane change or disregarding traffic warning signs.
“Operation Hardhat” will begin again in April in an effort to enforce vehicle and traffic laws in highway work zones. Under “Operation Hardhat,” state troopers or local police officers are dressed as highway maintenance workers in active NYSDOT or Thruway work zones across New York, identifying and citing motorists for a number of violations, including disobeying flagging personnel, speeding through work zones, cell phone and seatbelt use, and/or violations of the State’s Move Over law. In 2023, 2,919 tickets were issued by State Police and participating law enforcement agencies during 84 deployments across the state for speeding, cell phone usage, seat belts, failure to move over or obey traffic control devices, among other infractions.
The Automated Work Zone Speed Monitoring pilot program was established by legislation signed into law by Hochul in 2021 and a technology operator for the program was selected following a competitive bidding process. Under the program, all vehicles detected violating the posted speed limit within a work zone by over an established threshold are fined. Images of the driver or contents of the vehicle will not be documented.
Fines through the pilot program are issued as follows:
- $50 for first violation
- $75 for second violation
- $100 for third and subsequent violations within 18 months of the first violation
Unpaid fines may result in a vehicle registration hold where drivers will not be able to renew their registrations without first paying their fines. Owners may contest a violation within 30 days of when they received notice. As required by law, 60 percent of the funds collected by NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority through the program will supplement work zone safety projects.
Since the program was launched in the spring of 2023, there have been more than 2,760 deployments in work zones along the Thruway and roadways controlled by NYSDOT, resulting in more than 167,340 notices of liability being issued to registered vehicle owners.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The individual members of our DOT Team are the lifeblood of everything we do at the New York State Department of Transportation and their dedication inspires me to do everything in my power to protect them. With the support of Governor Hochul, NYSDOT has initiated a number of new policies over the past few years to better protect our workers, but the traveling public has a role to play as well – during National Work Zone Awareness Week and throughout the year – put down your phones, slow down, and pay attention, especially in work zones. Lives are literally at stake.”
“As the Thruway Authority commences another construction season, it’s important to remember that the individuals working in work zones are not just workers but also friends, family, and neighbors,” said New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Frank G. Hoare. “They are all part of our communities, hoping to go home safe at the end of their shift. Work zones aim to enhance safety and upgrade the roadway. Your cooperation is crucial. Please slow down, stay attentive in work zones, and together we can make a difference in saving lives.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Highways are one of the most dangerous work environments encountered by those who respond to emergencies and maintain our roadways. As the construction season begins, it is imperative for drivers to watch their speed, move over, and put down their electronic devices when they are traveling through work zones. The New York State Police remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to create safer work zones and protect those who work along our highways and interstates.”
“Summer is a busy travel season on our roads, but it is also the right time to repair them,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder. I urge all drivers to respect the workers who strive to keep our roads in top shape, to slow down in work zones and to safely move over whenever you encounter a crew doing road work.”
To learn more about work zone safety, visit the State’s comprehensive website.