45 Tickets Issued In 4-Hour LIE Work Zone Crackdown: Police

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Suffolk County Police Department officers issued 45 tickets Wednesday during a targeted work zone enforcement operation on the Long Island Expressway aimed at reducing dangerous driving behaviors around highway crews, police said.

The enforcement initiative, known as Operation Hard Hat, took place on the shoulder of the westbound Long Island Expressway between exits 50 and 49 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to police.

The statewide program, coordinated through the New York State Department of Transportation, focuses on increasing awareness of the dangers posed by speeding, distracted driving and Move Over Law violations in active work zones.

Officers assigned to Highway Patrol’s Suffolk Intensified Traffic Enforcement (SITE) team monitored the area during the operation and issued citations for a range of violations, police said.

According to SCPD, officers issued:

• 12 tickets for speeding in a work zone
• 15 tickets for Move Over Law violations
• 11 tickets for other moving violations
• 7 tickets for non-moving violations

“Suffolk County is committed to reducing the number of motor vehicle accidents and fatalities on our roadways,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. “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.”

Police said the operation was funded through a NYSDOT construction grant.

“Ensuring the safety of those working on our highways is critical,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “There is no reason for motorists to be speeding or failing to move over for emergency and highway workers. This operation was important not only to enforce the law, but also to educate drivers and help prevent needless tragedies on our roadways.”