A second proposal has been introduced this month aiming to increase safety in work zones on state highways.

State Sen. Trevor Cooney, D-Rochester, has introduced legislation (S.8882) that would allow the use of speed cameras in highway construction or maintenance work areas on all state highways.

This bill removes references to “controlled-access highways” in Section 1180-e of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, allowing the department to use speed cameras on all state highways. Cooney said doing so will improve safety in work zones statewide, reduce speeding-related crashes and better protect the workers who maintain New York’s transportation infrastructure.

“Work zones are among the most dangerous areas on New York’s roads, putting both workers and drivers at risk when motorists fail to reduce their speed,” Cooney wrote in his legislative justification. “Under current law, the Department of Transportation may only deploy automated work zone speed cameras on controlled-access high-

ways, limiting the reach of this proven safety tool.”

Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Kingston, recently introduced legislation (S.8715) to make a violation of the state’s Move Over Law a five-point traffic violation on driver’s licenses. In 2010, New York State implemented the Move Over Law to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles that were stopped on the road. The law has been expanded several times to also cover hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles and tow trucks. In 2023, the law was expanded again to cover all vehicles stopped on the road. From 2016 to 2020, 37 individuals were killed outside disabled vehicles in New York. A conviction for violating VTL 1144-a(a), New York’s Move Over Law, can result in a fine of up to $150 for a first offense. A second offense within 18 months of the first means a fine of up to $300. A third offense within 18 months means a fine of up to $450. But, violating the law is currently a two-point offense. In New York, a driver’s license is suspended if drivers get 11 or more points on their driving record within an 18-month period.

“The side of the road, it actually is the office for our highway workers,” Hinchey wrote in her legislative justification. “They show up in rain, snow, and extreme heat to ensure our roads are safe to travel. These individuals deserve our respect-and our protection. In 2024 alone, there were 322 intrusions into DOT work zones, resulting in two deaths and more than 130 injuries.”

One of those 2024 incidents took place on Interstate 90 and claimed the life of a State Thruway maintenance worker working near Exit 58 near Silver Creek and Irving. It was the second death of a Thruway maintenance worker that year.