Operation Hard Hat Tackles Reckless Driving In Kirkwood, New York

'Operation Hard Hat' on Interstate 81 resulted in 69 tickets issued on April 21, 2025.

The operation was conducted by New York State Police Troop 'C' Traffic Incident Management along with the New York State Department of Transportation at a construction zone on Interstate 81 in Kirkwood.

At the sight of 'Operation Hard Hat ' on Interstate 81 North, over Loughlin Road, NYS DOT crews were completing bridge work.

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According to the New York State Police, the operation targeted reckless and distracted drivers in the work zone area, cracking down on work zone violations. During this operation, a NYS Trooper was embedded in an active construction zone, dressed as a construction worker.

The trooper was watching motorists speeding, failure to move over, and on an electronic device. The work zone had signage reminding motorists that it’s a work zone with a lowered speed limit and that one of three lanes was shut down.

During the four-hour 'Operation Hard Hat' initiative, 69 tickets were issued, including 52 for speeding, 11 for mobile phone use, and 1 for failure to move over. The New York State Police noted that one motorist was stopped for traveling at 90 mph in the 55 mph work zone.

New York State Police reminds motorists of the importance of safe driving when approaching construction, maintenance, and emergency operations along state highways - drive responsibly in work zones.

Most often, the speed limit is reduced in work zones. Motorists are reminded to pay attention to signage, be alert, patient, focus on just driving, and be mindful of the crews working along the roadways and keep them safe.

As a reminder, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.  Two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of the motorist's driver’s license.