State buildings were illuminated in orange yesterday on order of the governor of New York. No, Kathy Hochul had not had a sudden come-to-Trump moment. Rather it was to honor highway workers and remind drivers to keep their safety in mind.
New York State police and local law enforcement agencies will once again conduct special details to enforce vehicle and traffic laws in work zones. These will include officers dressed as highway maintenance workers — watch out, that person you might see leaning on a shovel as you pass could well be the law. Last year, officers issued about 2,700 tickets for work zone violations, generally for failing to heed safety flaggers, speeding, handheld cellphones, and not wearing seatbelts.
For drivers and workers alike, the danger is significant. Five people, including a highway worker, were killed in work zone accidents on state roads and 168 injured in 2024. Distracted driving, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, or disregarding warning signs caused the majority of the crashes, the governor’s office said.
New York State has a so-called Move Over Law that says that drivers must slow down and move over one lane, if possible, when approaching any kind of vehicle stopped alongside the road. The fine is $150 for a first offense. Automated work zone cameras have recorded more than 425,000 violations — with more than 38,000 repeat offenders — since the program began two years ago. A $50 fine is levied on first offenders, and that increases to $75, then $100, for subsequent incidents. In our view, these amounts should be much higher. Even so, the current fines have brought in an estimated $22 million since May 2023.
We are happy to see highway workers fixing the roads after winter’s ravages are done. Keeping them safe on the job is a great way for drivers to say thanks.