For drivers in New York, summer means one guarantee – an increase in highway construction zones. In 2025, there were 572 crashes in work zones across New York State that led to 87 injuries and three deaths. In an ongoing effort to improve safety in work zones, under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1180-e, the state utilizes a camera system to capture drivers exceeding the posted speed limit in a work zone and issues a ticket that is mailed directly to the address where the vehicle is registered.
The statute was designed to improve safety for road crews, emergency responders, and motorists traveling through construction areas where lanes may narrow and traffic patterns often shift.
Section 1180-e is different from a traditional roadside speeding stop. Instead of an officer pulling a driver over, the statute permits camera-based enforcement in qualifying work zones. If a vehicle is recorded violating the posted speed limit in an active work area, the registered owner may receive a
