On June 9, 2026, New York State Police Troop T conducted another Operation Hard Hat along the New York State Thruway, issuing a total of 101 tickets. The majority of citations (70) were for speeding, and of those speeding motorists, 10% were traveling at least 20 mph over the posted work zone speed limit.
Yesterday’s initiative took place within a ten-hour period along the Thruway in the towns of Cheektowaga, Hamburg, and West Seneca in Erie County. The targeted enforcement is a continuation of New York State Police’s campaign to protect highway and roadside workers, emergency personnel, and all motorists from dangerous driving in and around active work zones.
The 101 tickets were issued for the following violations:
70 – Speeding
12 - Seatbelt violations
1- Move Over Law violations
1 -Cell phone/electronic device use
17- Other vehicle and traffic law violations
Operation Hard Hat entails troopers posing as workers embedded in clearly marked, active work zones to identify motorists committing violations and then advise uniformed troopers in the area to take appropriate enforcement actions.
A major priority of Troop T is decreasing the number of fatalities on the Thruway, and campaigns such as this are important tools in that effort.
In 2025 there were 228 crashes leading to 28 injuries in Thruway work zones, the highest level since 2020. These incidents are primarily caused by speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, unsafe lane changes and failure to obey warning signs and flagger instructions.
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. The State Police will continue conducting enforcement details throughout the 2026 construction season to encourage safe driving in highway work zones in an effort to prevent needless tragedy and save lives.
