Suffolk County police issued 45 tickets during a four-hour work zone enforcement operation on the Long Island Expressway this week, targeting speeding, distracted driving, and Move Over Law violations.
The enforcement initiative, known as Operation Hard Hat, took place May 13 on the shoulder of the westbound Long Island Expressway between exits 50 and 49 in Huntington from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the Suffolk County Police Department.
Police said the operation is part of a New York State Department of Transportation program aimed at increasing awareness of unsafe driving in highway work zones and enforcing traffic laws designed to protect construction crews, highway workers, and emergency personnel.
During the operation, officers from Highway Patrol’s Suffolk Intensified Traffic Enforcement team issued:
- 12 tickets for speeding in a work zone
- 15 tickets for Move Over Law violations
- 11 tickets for other moving violations
- Seven tickets for non-moving violations
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said the county is focused on reducing crashes and fatalities through enforcement and education efforts.
“Through education, prevention and reinforcing the rules of the road, we will lessen the number of preventable incidents this summer and protect our first responders and highway personnel who work around the clock to make our roads safer,” Romaine said.
Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said the operation was intended to both enforce traffic laws and remind drivers about the dangers posed to highway workers.
“There is no reason for motorists to be speeding or failing to move over for emergency and highway workers,” Catalina said. “This operation was important not only to enforce the law, but also to educate drivers and help prevent needless tragedies on our roadways.”
Operation Hard Hat was funded through a New York State Department of Transportation construction grant.
