Construction season is officially here—and with it, traffic delays, orange cones, and, apparently, flying fists?
In a story straight out of the “what not to do on the job” files, a 43-year-old truck driver from Cohoes, New York, was arrested last week after allegedly punching a Department of Transportation flagger in the face during a road rage incident in Halfmoon. According to local reports, things got heated at a construction site, and instead of cooling off, the driver decided to throw hands. Not cool, not legal, and definitely not worth it.
Police say the suspect was slapped with several charges, including misdemeanor reckless endangerment and reckless driving. Basically, a whole list of things that won’t look great on your CDL record—or in court.
Now, let’s be honest: we’ve all been stuck behind a flagger or felt the frustration of losing precious drive time to an endless lane closure. But flipping out on the people just doing their jobs? That’s a line we shouldn’t cross. Those flaggers are out there to keep us safe, too. No one enjoys breathing in diesel fumes and waving a stop sign all day, especially with impatient drivers barreling by.
This incident serves as a reminder to all of us in the trucking world—especially as roads get more congested and construction zones pop up like mushrooms after rain—stay cool. Take a deep breath. Grab a coffee. Blast some Skynyrd. Do what you got to do to keep your head level.
Losing your temper in a work zone could cost you more than just a fine or a court date. It could risk your license, your job, or worse—someone’s safety.
Let’s all agree to leave the punching to barroom brawls in old Westerns, not the side of I-87.
Stay safe out there, and remember: construction zones are temporary. Criminal charges? Not so much.
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