Connecticut State Troopers Announce Christmas and New Year’s DUI Enforcement Initiative

Connecticut State Troopers Announce Christmas and New Year’s DUI Enforcement Initiative

Connecticut State Troopers remind motorists that combining careful planning with sensible driving will lead to safer holiday as they travel to holiday celebrations.

Many travelers are expected to hit Connecticut highways during the upcoming holidays. State Troopers ask motorists to follow all driving laws, as their behavior on the roads is essential to keeping potential hazards at a distance. Simply putting traffic laws into practice will prevent accidents and save lives:

• Drive the speed limit.
• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Ensure that all passengers are wearing seatbelts.
• Signal when turning, changing lanes or taking an exit.
• Refrain from texting or using your phone.
• Never consume alcohol or prescription drugs before you get behind the wheel.
• Move over (when safe to do so) whenever law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances or tow trucks are occupying a lane. Please give them room to do their job efficiently and safely.
Drivers are also reminded to plan their trips with care:
• Fill the gas tank prior to your journey.
• Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid and tire pressure.
• Fully charge your cell phone.
• Carry winter blankets, drinking water and snacks
• Check traffic conditions before leaving home
• Keep a shovel and sand or salt in the trunk of your vehicle.
Your cooperation is critical to ensuring the well-being of all who are driving our highways and roads throughout the holiday weekend. Whenever you get behind the wheel, safety must be your top priority.
Please be our partner in keeping the roadways safe for all motorists.
State Police will operate roving patrols and conduct DUI checkpoints starting December 22, 2017 and continuing through the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Some motorists often worry about what to do when going through a dui checkpoint, however, following the traffic laws as well as the tasks listed above could help you and any motorist have a safe journey during the Christmas and New Year season.

Troopers will enforce all motor vehicle laws and focus on reducing the number of DUIs, crashes and injury-producing accidents occurring on the interstates, state roads and local roadways.

Troop D – Danielson
Friday, December 22, 2017 through Tuesday, December 26, 2017 and Friday, December 29, 2017 through Monday, January 1, 2018 additional troopers will be conducting roving patrols and DUI enforcement on all highways and roadways in the Troop D patrol area.

Troop E – Montville
Thursday, December 21, 2017 through Tuesday, December 26, 2017 troopers from Troop E will conduct patrols of I-395 (exits 9-18), I-395 (Gold Star Bridge, exits 83-84), Route 164 Griswold and Preston areas and Route 2 North Stonington area.

Troop F –Westbrook
Friday, December 22, 2017 during the evening hours, troopers from Troop F will conduct a DWI/sobriety checkpoint on Route 1 (Boston Post Rd.) in Westbrook.

Troop L – Litchfield
Friday, December 22, 2017 through Tuesday, December 26, 2017 troopers will conduct patrols on Route 8 between exit 37 in Watertown to Exit 42 in Harwinton, Routes 6 & 64 in Woodbury, Routes 202 & 254 in Litchfield, Routes 7 & 341 in Kent, Routes 63 & 109 in Morris, Routes 45 & 47 in Washington, Routes 132 & 61 in Bethlehem, Route 4 Burlington / Harwinton, and Route 72 in Harwinton.