Construction Zone Crackdown Set: State Planning No-Merge Zones, Added Patrols

Motorists face tougher traffic enforcement in construction zones this year, including doubling of State Police patrols and new no-merge zones. Three construction sites will test no-merge zones, where drivers will be ticketed for late darts into merge lanes. During this year’s record construction season, the state plans to spend $350,000 on special-enforcement patrols in work zones. That’s double the amount set aside last year, when the state paid for 4,000 trooper hours to patrol construction zones. The state also will spend $225,000 on its “Give ’em a Brake” campaign, mostly for billboard and radio safety messages. Last year’s campaign cost $200,000.