NEW YORK — New York State Police issued nearly 1,000 traffic citations during a statewide enforcement campaign aimed at improving safety in highway construction zones, according to officials.
The enforcement effort took place between April 20 and April 24 and included 12 separate operations at active work zones across New York state. Authorities said the initiative was designed to increase awareness around road worker safety and reduce dangerous driving behavior in construction areas.
In several cases, troopers reportedly disguised themselves as highway workers to identify drivers violating traffic laws within work zones.
According to state police, the operation resulted in 160 citations related to violations of New York’s Move Over Law, which requires motorists to slow down and move over when approaching stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles on roadways.
Officials said Move Over Law violations increased 84% compared with last year’s enforcement campaign.
Speeding citations accounted for the largest share of tickets issued during the crackdown.
State police said troopers issued 401 speeding tickets during the multi-day operation, representing roughly one-third more than were issued during a similar initiative conducted a year earlier.
Data released by the agency also showed that about one-third of all traffic stops occurred along the New York State Thruway, one of the state’s busiest transportation corridors.
Construction industry leaders and transportation agencies have increasingly emphasized work zone safety as highway and infrastructure projects continue expanding across the country.
Road construction workers face elevated risks from speeding vehicles, distracted driving and failure-to-yield incidents in active work areas. Enforcement campaigns such as New York’s annual blitz are intended to improve driver awareness and encourage compliance with traffic safety laws.
National transportation agencies have repeatedly warned that work zones remain hazardous environments for both workers and motorists.
Many states, including New York, have adopted enhanced enforcement strategies and public awareness campaigns in recent years to reduce crashes and injuries in construction areas.
The use of disguised troopers within work zones reflects growing efforts by law enforcement agencies to identify unsafe driver behavior that might otherwise go undetected during traditional patrol operations.
New York officials have continued promoting compliance with the Move Over Law as roadway maintenance, utility and transportation construction projects remain active throughout the state.
The enforcement campaign also aligns with broader highway safety initiatives focused on reducing speeding and distracted driving in work zones during peak construction season.
Originally reported by Gothamist.
