Highway work zones can be incredibly dangerous for construction workers as well as drivers. In an effort to increase highway safety, New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Thruway Authority have teamed up in an effort to make the roads safer. This initiative is known as “Operation Hardhat.” Read on to learn more about Operation Hardhat and what you need to know about work zone violations.
What is Operation Hardhat?
In an effort to keep highway workers, drivers, and pedestrians safe, New York State has created “Operation Hardhat.” Operation Hardhat entails state troopers being present within work zones and dressed as highway maintenance workers. This allows them to identify motorists who disobey flagging personnel, speed through the work zone, and violate the state’s Move Over Law.
What Kind of Tickets are Being Issued?
So far, Operation Hardhat has been successful when it comes to catching those who are speeding through work zones or committing other traffic violations. There are dozens of details held in almost every region of New York State. In 2019, there were 1,048 tickets issued by State Troopers during Operation Hard Hat. This number has already largely increased in 2020. From July to November, New York State Police spent a total of 243 hours at work zones and issued 1,779 tickets. The tickets they issued were for the following violations:
- Speeding – 618
- Seatbelts – 187
- Cell Phone – 297
- Failure to Move Over – 141
- Failure to Obey Flagger – 2
- Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device – 17
- DWI – 1
- Other violations – 516
What Should I do if I Recieve a Ticket?
New York speeding tickets carry the following penalties:
- 3 point violation: 1-10 miles per hour over the speed limit
- 4 point violation: 11-20 miles per hour over the speed limit
- 6 point violation: 21-30 miles per hour over the speed limit
- 8 point violation: 31-40 miles per hour over the speed limit
- 11 point violation: Excess of 41 miles per hour over the speed limit
It is important to note that speeding through a work zone will double the fines. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license. As a result, you will want to reach out to an experienced traffic violations attorney. A skilled attorney may be able to reduce your fines and points.
If you or a loved one has been given a work zone ticket, reach out to our firm today.
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Criminal matters can change the course of your life forever. This is why you need an experienced attorney who will aggressively combat your charges to help mitigate their long-term effects. If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for a criminal defense matter on Long Island or throughout New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation. We would be happy to assist you.
