NYSDOT Workers Injured in Route 36 Collision

Categories: New York State Breaking NewsNew York State News

Emergency personnel responding to the NYSDOT workers collision on Route 36.

News Summary

This morning, three workers from the New York State Department of Transportation were struck by a vehicle on Route 36. One worker sustained severe injuries and was airlifted to a medical facility, while the other two were taken to St. James Hospital for treatment. A female suspect has been arrested, and the New York State Police are investigating the incident. This crash coincides with the NYS Police’s ‘Move Over and Speed Week’ initiative aimed at improving roadside safety and preventing accidents involving workers.

New York – In a significant incident this morning, three workers from the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) were struck by a vehicle on Route 36 in the southbound lane. The collision left one of the workers with severe injuries, necessitating airlift to a nearby medical facility.

The injured NYSDOT employee was airlifted to the hospital via helicopter, while the other two workers were transported to St. James Hospital in Hornell for treatment. Details regarding their conditions remain unclear, pending further updates from medical professionals.

Authorities have confirmed that a female suspect has been taken into custody following the incident. The complete circumstances surrounding the collision are still being investigated by the New York State Police, who are expected to provide an update on the situation within the hour.

Current Traffic Safety Initiatives

This unfortunate event occurs during the NYS Police’s ongoing “Move Over and Speed Week” initiative, which is aimed at preventing accidents involving roadside personnel and promoting safe driving behaviors. This enforcement campaign is scheduled to run from June 9 to June 15, 2025.

The initiative focuses on curbing speeding and aggressive driving practices, both of which are significant contributors to roadway fatalities in New York State. Statistics reveal that nearly one-third of all fatal crashes in the state are attributed to speeding. In 2023 alone, there were 307 fatal crashes linked to speeding, alongside 11,631 personal injury accidents, according to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research.

Enforcement Details

During the “Speed Week” campaign, NYS Troopers will employ both marked State Police vehicles and concealed identity traffic enforcement (CITE) vehicles to monitor and catch traffic violators. Law enforcement is committed to strictly enforcing traffic laws, particularly those related to speeding, distracted driving, and seatbelt non-compliance.

In the previous year’s Speed Week campaign (June 3 to June 9, 2024), law enforcement issued over 20,000 traffic tickets, which included 11,175 specifically for speeding violations. This history underscores the campaign’s vigorous approach to improving road safety and reducing accidents.

Background on Roadway Safety

The occurrence of accidents involving roadside workers highlights the importance of public awareness surrounding roadway safety. The NYS Police continuously advocate for drivers to adhere to traffic laws and to exercise caution while driving in areas with roadside personnel engaged in work activities. The “Move Over Law” specifically necessitates that drivers move a lane over when they encounter emergency or roadside service vehicles with flashing lights.

The consequences of speeding and aggressive driving not only affect the driver but can have dire repercussions for pedestrians, cyclists, and roadside workers. As the NYS DOT workers recover from the incident, officials hope that heightened awareness and adherence to traffic regulations will prevent further accidents like this in the future.