It’s National Work Zone Awareness Week. The nation-wide campaign makes sure drivers know what to do when they see highway workers in traffic.
In recent years, New York state has taken that effort the extra mile, implementing speed cameras to hold those who don’t follow the rules accountable.
Since 2023, the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement Program has issued more than 170,000 violations in Thruway work zones — including more than 8,000 repeat offenders.
“These guys got to go home too. They got families like the rest of us. And everybody should slow down, with or without the camera, with or without the State Police,” said Ray Doolen, a motorist.
“I worked in a municipal setting, so having work zones and that sort of a flagger position, it’s frustrating to see people completely disregard — it’s life at stake, essentially,” said Tim Canavan, a motorist.
“In 2025, there were 366 work zone crashes on New York state DOT roads. This resulted in 50 injuries and two fatalities,” said Michael Pawloski, an acting regional director for state DOT, who says those sometimes fatal incidents are why Work Zone Awareness Week is so important.
“By obeying the speed limit, remaining alert, moving over, and putting down the phone, you are literally saving lives,” said Pawloski.
Pawloski says this will be the DOT’s fourth construction season with the automated work zone speed enforcement cameras.
“It has shown that speeds have decreased in those work zones in which they are deployed. We’ve even seen a decrease in a notice of violations that have been issued since the time they were first put into place three years ago,” said Pawloski.
Right now, those cameras can only be used on higher speed expressways or controlled access highway. Pawloski said they are hoping that will change his year with new legislation to include other highways.