Connecticut State Police are preparing for increased traffic during this Memorial Day weekend and for summer 2015 celebrations and vacations.
State Troopers ask all drivers to utilize courteous driving skills, plan for traffic delays and make safety their top priority whenever they get behind the wheel. These actions will ensure safe travel to and from destinations.
Some safety tips – and laws – to remember: BUCKLE UP, OBEY SPEED LIMITS, DON’T FOLLOW TOO CLOSE, REMOVE DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING, STAY OFF THE CELLPHONE, and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
“Connecticut drivers are asked to serve as an example for others by obeying all traffic laws. Together, State Police and state residents can keep Connecticut’s roadways safe for all,” said Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
During Memorial Day Weekend 2015, motorists should be aware that Connecticut State Police Troopers will employ all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety. State Troopers will utilize laser units for speed enforcement, as well as marked & unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to patrol our highways and roadways. The State Police Aviation Unit can provide an eye from the sky when they patrol travel roads across the state.
State Police Colonel Brian Meraviglia noted, “Good driving skills are essential to avoiding tragedies on Connecticut’s highways. The enforcement efforts of our Troopers – along with drivers who follow state law – are vital to maintaining danger-free roads for drivers and passengers.”
As part of its efforts, the Connecticut State Police will participate in the National C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) program over this Memorial Day Weekend. The goal of this operation is to join State Police Agencies across the country to enhance safety in all states. Motorists are reminded to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution and allow extra time to reach their destination.
The Operation C.A.R.E. holiday weekend will begin on Friday, May 22, 2015, and will continue until midnight Monday, May 25, 2015. Connecticut State Troopers are joining all State Police agencies across the country, concentrating on enforcement of DUI and safety belt laws during the entire holiday weekend.
During Memorial Day Weekend of 2014, Connecticut State Police arrested 54 drunk drivers, charged 1,248 motorists with speeding, 954 with seatbelt violations and 4,142 with Hazardous Moving Violations. In addition, Troopers investigated 301 motor vehicle accidents, 54 of those with injury. No fatalities were reported by State Police.
For Memorial Day Weekend 2015, Troopers will concentrate enforcement on all hazardous moving violations, seatbelt use and illegal cell phone use. Sobriety checkpoints will be set up at several locations throughout the state over the holiday weekend.
A reminder to obey all traffic laws, pay attention to your speed and if you plan to drink, please designate a driver. If you see a suspected drunk driver report it immediately by calling 911, as this is a true emergency.
Connecticut State Police, Troop K holiday weekend checkpoint locations:
Friday 5-22-15: Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham.
Saturday 5-23-15: Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham.
Sunday 5-24-15: Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham.
Monday 5-25-15: Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham.
*Information provided by:
The Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection
Connecticut State Police, Public Information Office
* 5-26-15 Update:
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ENFORCEMENT FINAL STATISTICS:
Troopers patrolled the highways and roads in Connecticut over this 2015 Memorial Day weekend. During this enforcement operation troopers utilized both traditional and non-traditional patrol cars. The enforcement project started at 12:01 a.m. on 5/22/15 and ran through 11:59 p.m. on 5/25/15.
Troopers focused on drunken driving violations, aggressive drivers, distracted drivers and speeding.
Sobriety checkpoints and targeted DUI patrols were in place over the entire weekend.
The final statistics are as follows:
SPEEDING: 1254
SEATBELT: 1454
OTHER HAZARDOUS MOVING VIOLATIONS: 549
(to include unsafe lane change, Following Too Closely, Cell Phone, Texting, etc.)
DUI ARRESTS: 57
ACCIDENTS
Investigated: 285
With injury: 49
Fatal: 2
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