New York State Police issued 50 tickets during a five-hour work zone enforcement detail on the New York State Thruway.
The latest Operation Hard Hat initiative was conducted Tuesday near Exit 23 in Albany. Of the 50 tickets issued, 46 were for speeding and four involved other vehicle and traffic law violations.
Troopers also took into custody a person wanted on a felony arrest warrant.
During Operation Hard Hat details, troopers pose as highway workers inside clearly marked, active construction zones. They identify motorists committing violations and relay that information to uniformed troopers positioned nearby.
State Police said the number of violations documented in five hours illustrates the risks faced by highway workers and motorists. Speeding and other dangerous behavior in construction zones increase the likelihood of serious crashes, according to police.
There were 228 crashes in Thruway work zones in 2025, resulting in 28 injuries. State Police said it was the highest number of work zone crashes recorded on the Thruway since 2020.
Motorists are reminded to slow down, remain alert and follow New York’s Move Over Law when traveling through work zones.
State Police plan to conduct additional enforcement details throughout the 2026 construction season.
