KIRKWOOD — The Troop “C” Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Unit partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOT) for an Operation Hard Hat enforcement detail on Interstate 81 north in Kirkwood on April 21.
DOT crews were completing bridge work over Loughlin Road during the operation.
Operation Hard Hat targets reckless and distracted drivers in work zones and cracks down on work zone violations while highlighting the importance of safe driving when approaching construction, maintenance and emergency operations along state highways.
During the detail, a trooper dressed as a construction worker was embedded in the active construction zone to watch for reckless behavior such as speeding or electronic device use.
One driver was stopped for traveling at 90 mph in the 55 mph work zone.
The work zone featured signage reminding motorists of the lowered speed limit and that one of three lanes was shut down.
In approximately four hours, authorities issued 69 tickets, including 52 for speeding, 11 for cell phone use, and one for failure to move over.
Motorists are urged to drive responsibly in work zones, paying attention to signage and focusing on driving.
Officials remind drivers that speeding fines are doubled in work zones, and two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in driver’s license suspension.
