BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

Summer travel is in full-swing, but for those traveling on the New York State Thruway and other expressways, that also means more encounters with workzone speed cameras. 

State lawmakers approved adding more such cameras to work zones throughout the state in the state budget this year in a move that saw broad support.

The portable systems will add enforcement capabilities for the State Police and DOT, with the ability to be deployed on all New York State Department of Transportation highways, according to state lawmakers. 

The move was met with resistance by some, who said they had concerns the cameras may still automatically ticket drivers even when road work is not being conducted. 

Still, others argued that with 366 work zone accidents resulting in 58 injuries and two fatalities on NYSDOT highways last year, the cameras are required now more than ever. 

Add the additional 228 accidents that occurred on the state Thruway, lawmakers say it's a matter of public safety for workers. 

"When we go out and ask them to do this work on the roads, whether it's on a state road or a local road, our workers need to feel safe. And unfortunately, they don't," Rochester Democrat and Senate Transportation Committee chair Jeremy Cooney said. 

North Country lawmakers also voiced concerns about the program last year, saying the cameras may improperly ticket vehicle owners, as all tickets would be issued based on a license plate and registration, rather than the specific driver who committed the violation. 

State officials said the program has led to "hundreds of thousands of citations" in the last two years when assessing NYSDOT highways and the Thruway. 

Signs will be put in place to warn motorists the cameras will be in use. 

Lawmakers also pointed to the sharp increase in work zone accidents in the last year, with a 46% increase on the Thruway system alone. 

State officials continue to encourage New Yorkers to follow the move over law, which requires motorists to move over a lane, if safe to do so, when passing vehicles on the shoulder of the road. 

The move over law also includes emergency response vehicles, tow trucks and highway construction and maintenance vehicles. 

Failure to do so could lead to points on a drivers license, as well as fines and other penalties. 

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