‘Operation Hard Hat’ results in 22 traffic tickets in Trenton as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week

ONEIDA COUNTY- 22 traffic tickets were issued Thursday in the town of Trenton as part of ‘Operation Hard Hat.’

The detail was conducted to address work zone safety issues, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. National Work Zone Awareness Week just wrapped-up Friday.

Drivers who fail to adhere to work zone laws pose a danger to the DOT workers and other officials who are working along the roadways, the Sheriff’s Office warned.

The most common violations include speeding, failing to move over and cell-phone use, officials explained. Speaking of speeding violations, Governor Kathy Hochul says the state has enacted the ‘Automated Work Zone Speed Monitoring’ pilot program.

"This new pilot program will be instrumental in encouraging safe driving habits in highway work zones and protecting the lives of those who help maintain a safe and reliable highway system," she said.

Through the use of the latest technology, all vehicles detected violating the posted speed limit within a work zone by over an established threshold will be fined.

License plate images and speed data collected will be sent to NYSDOT and the Thruway within a week, with violation fines issued to the vehicle's registered owner by mail.

Vehicle owners who are New York State residents will receive notice in the mail within 14 business days of the violation instance, while those who live out of state will receive notice within 45-days.

Images of the driver or contents of the vehicle will not be documented, the Governor’s office clarified. 

Fines through the pilot program will be issued as follows:

• $50 for first violation.
• $75 for second violation.
• $100 for third and subsequent violations within 18 months of the first violation.

Unpaid fines may result in a vehicle registration hold where drivers will not be able to renew their registrations without first paying their fines.

Owners may contest a violation within 30 days of when they received notice.

As required by law, 60-percent of the funds collected by NYSDOT and the Thruway Authority through the program will supplement work zone safety projects.

Image via the New York State DOT.