New York State Ramps Up Traffic Enforcement

Motorists beware – the first full week of June is “Speed Week” across New York, which focuses on speeding, work zone infractions and targeting violations of the recently expanded Move Over Law.

“Speed Week” runs through June 9, with troopers using both marked and unmarked police vehicles to ramp up enforcement. 

According to data from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Traffic Safety Committee, speed is a contributing factor in 30 percent of all traffic fatalities.

“Troopers will be highly visible during this traffic enforcement period and throughout the peak summer driving period,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said in a statement. 

During last year’s “Speed Week” campaign, state troopers wrote nearly 21,000 tickets, more than 10,000 of which were issued for speeding, and 375 for violations of the Move Over Law. 

Speeding fines for a first-time offender can range from $45 for going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, to $600 for violating the speed limit by more than 30 miles per hour.

New York’s Move Over Law was expanded earlier this year to include all vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road, whether it is a first responder or a personal vehicle.

The state also launched an Automated Work Zone Speed Monitoring Pilot Program in April 2023, a joint effort between the Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority to enhance ongoing efforts to slow motorists down in work zones and make highways safer.

Drivers traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit will receive a notice of liability. Workers also have to be present in the work zone, and a sign indicating the current use of the photo speed violation monitoring system must be posted, the Thruway Authority said. 

Through November of last year, more than 130,000 notices were issued statewide. The initial fine is $50, followed by $75 and $100 for ensuing violations.

Unpaid fines can impact the status of registration, but penalties under the automated program are not as severe as traditional speeding tickets.

As of January, the Thruway Authority has collected $1.81 million in fines, and as of November 2023, DOT collected $2.85 million.

The fines will cover expenditures related to the program, according to the state, and 60 percent of the funds collected will supplement work zone safety projects, as required by law.

It is unclear if the Legislature will expand the five-year pilot program, but stricter punishments could be the next step.

For information, go to https://www.ny.gov/work-zone-safety-awareness/automated-work-zone-speed-enforcement-program.