Oneida County Sheriff and NYS Department of Transportation…

Oneida County Sheriff and NYS Department of Transportation Launch “Operation Hardhat” In Oneida County

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol and New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Theresa Dominguez along with several members of the New York State Department of Transportation and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office launched “Operation Hardhat” in Oneida County yesterday morning. "Operation Hardhat" is a statewide traffic enforcement detail targeting motorists who drive recklessly through work zones and put the lives of the construction crews at risk. The operation is a joint initiative between law enforcement and the NYS Department of Transportation designed to crack down on work zone violations and highlight the importance of safe driving when encountering construction, maintenance, and emergency operations along state highways.

“Operation Hardhat” is a statewide initiative that places Deputy Sheriffs, Troopers, or Police Officers discretely in construction sites to monitor traffic and specifically look for speeding, texting and driving, not moving over, and other traffic offenses that could put lives of the road construction workers at risk.

Yesterday’s detail was located at a road repair project on NY State Route 5 in the Town of Kirkland. Deputies that were assigned to this four hour detail yesterday issued a total of 17 traffic tickets for violations including the use of a cell phone while driving, failing to stop at a stop sign, and other various violations.

The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office will be part of other “Operation Hardhat” details in Oneida County throughout the upcoming road construction season.