Dozens of commercial vehicle drivers ticketed for avoiding checkpoint on New York State Thruway, troopers say

New York State Police (NYSP) issued dozens of citations and out-of-service orders during a targeted commercial vehicle enforcement on the New York State (NYS) Thruway last week.

On February 26, 2026, NYSP Troop T conducted an operation on the NYS Thruway in response to “multiple recent crashes this winter that involved dozens of tractor trailers, other commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles.”

See below for results from the single-day NYS Thruway enforcement detail.

• 535 tickets to both passenger and commercial vehicle operators
  • 224 citations for speeding
  • Other citations were issued for Move Over Law violations, electronic device use/distracted driving, and no seatbelt, and commercial vehicle equipment, permit and registration violations
• 148 commercial vehicles inspected
• 49 commercial vehicle immediately taken out of service due to safety-related violations, including being overweight or over height
• 60 citations issued to commercial vehicle operators who attempted to avoid the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit checkpoint
• 4 DWI arrests

“Ensuring that commercial vehicles on the Thruway are properly maintained and operated safely is essential to protecting everyone who relies on our system. Commercial drivers not only play a vital role in our state’s economy, professional drivers also play a critical role in keeping our roadways safe, and we urge all operators to follow the rules of the road, conduct regular vehicle inspections, and make safety their top priority. We are grateful to the New York State Police Troop T for their unwavering commitment to enforcing commercial vehicle regulations and keeping the traveling public and our employees safe. Their partnership is vital in helping us maintain the Thruway as one of the safest highway systems in the country,” said NYS Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare, Esq. 

“A core mission of the State Police is to ensure the safety of the state’s roadways, and our troopers work hard every day to successfully carry out this mandate. Focused enforcement details such as these allow us to proactively respond to specific challenges, educate the public about safe driving, and when necessary, remove unsafe vehicles and motorists from the road. We’ve had an active winter and it’s not over yet. While we can’t control Mother Nature’s impact on road conditions, we can—and must—control how we operate behind the wheel. Stay alert, drive responsibly for the conditions, make sure your vehicle is in proper condition, and obey the law. Your actions can help eliminate risks to you and all other motorists,” said Superintendent Steven G. James.