May 8, 2026

State Police Issue 967 Tickets During “Operation Hard Hat” Work Zone Enforcement

The New York State Police today announced a 35% increase in vehicle and traffic tickets issued during this year’s Operation Hard Hat initiative, which was conducted as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week. Operation Hard Hat is a joint initiative between the New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Thruway Authority, which targets dangerous driving behaviors in and around highway work zones to improve safety for highway workers and the traveling public.

This year’s enforcement campaign ran from April 20 through April 24, 2026.

During “Operation Hard Hat,” State Police conducted 12 enforcement details at Department of Transportation and Thruway operated work zones across the state. Troopers were deployed within active work zones, including members assigned as spotters dressed as highway workers to identify violations in real time.

As a result of these efforts, a total of 967 tickets were issued, compared to 716 during the 2025 campaign. These tickets included:

  • 401 for speeding
  • 138 for distracted driving
  • 160 for violations of New York’s Move Over Law

Move Over violations increased by 84 percent, from 87 citations in 2025 to 160 in 2026. Speeding citations also increased by 33 percent, from 302 in 2025 to 401 in 2026.

Here is a breakdown of results by troop:

2026

OHH Details Completed

Speed

Distracted Driving

Adult S/B

Child S/B

Move Over

Failed To Obey Traffic Control

DWI/ DWAI

Other

Troop Totals

Troop A

1

0

13

2

0

31

0

0

2

48

Troop B

1

11

7

4

0

3

0

0

18

43

Troop C

1

34

4

7

1

9

0

0

10

65

Troop D

2

5

25

7

0

76

0

0

31

144

Troop E

1

51

1

0

0

0

0

0

14

66

Troop F

1

0

54

0

0

2

0

0

33

89

Troop G

1

36

1

0

0

3

0

0

10

50

Troop K

1

43

0

1

0

4

1

0

23

72

Troop L

1

24

5

0

0

5

12

0

35

81

Troop T

2

197

28

15

0

27

4

0

38

309

Statewide Totals

12

401

138

36

1

160

17

0

214

967

 

The New York State Police remind all motorists that work zones demand heightened attention. Drivers are required to slow down, remain alert, and comply with New York’s Move Over Law. These laws are in place to protect highway workers, emergency personnel, and all motorists traveling through active work zones.