Speeding in a work zone could put you in the fast lane toward a ticket. With increased attention on the dangers faced by highway workers, local and state police are stepping up enforcement.
One recent example: New York State Police issued 76 tickets on Aug. 13 during an Operation Hard Hat traffic enforcement detail along the Taconic State Parkway in Yorktown.
According to police, the four-hour operation was conducted by Troop K’s Traffic Incident Management Unit in coordination with the state Department of Transportation. Troopers cited 32 drivers for speeding, eight for using a cellphone while driving and two for violating the state’s Move Over law. The remaining tickets were issued for other traffic offenses.
Operation Hard Hat is a statewide initiative focused on improving safety in highway work zones. Officials said the effort is designed to protect highway workers, emergency responders and motorists. Drivers are reminded to obey posted speed limits, avoid distractions, move over for stopped vehicles when possible and stay alert in all work zones.
The need to protect highway workers is especially important to many in Yorktown after Jake Arcara, a young member of the Highway Department, was killed while working on local roads in 2022. In his honor, state lawmakers have proposed Jake’s Law, which would authorize Yorktown to deploy temporary safety cameras in roadway work zones and impose monetary liability on speeding motorists. The measure, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Slater and Senator Pete Harckham and co-sponsored by Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, is modeled on New York State’s Automated Work Zone Speed Monitoring Pilot Program. If enacted, Yorktown would be the first municipality in the state authorized to use such cameras to better protect its road crews.
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