Connecticut State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection

Connecticut State Police Patch STATE OF CONNECTICUT
Department of Public Safety
1111 Country Club Road
Middletown, Connecticut 06457		  
Contact: 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2008
STATE POLICE RELEASE STATS FROM
"OPERATION SANTA"

   Operation S.A.N.T.A. (S-TOP A-NOTHER N-EEDLESS T-RAGIC A-CCIDENT) enforcement statistics to date were released today by the Connecticut State Police.

   To date, the following State Police enforcement & accident activity has taken place:

   Midnight 12/24/08 to Midnight 12/27/2008  

   Total Motor Vehicle Accidents: 343

       Fatal Accidents: 2  

         Drunk Driving Arrests: 61

       Speeding Arrests: 426

       Seat Belt Arrests: 148

         Other HAZARDOUS Motor Vehicle Arrests: 852

   This enforcement operation will continue through the New Year's Holiday. Over the Christmas and New Year's Holiday, there will be additional State Troopers who will be assigned to patrol Connecticut’s highways and roadways and to man sobriety checkpoints over this Christmas/New Years holiday.  These troopers are only a part of the team effort that will work to keep our highways and roadways safe.  We need the help of all of our citizens to keep our highways safe and reduce the total number of motor vehicle accidents in our State.

   The use of seatbelts by all occupants of every vehicle still needs the constant attention by everyone. It is very important for all occupants to be seat belted at all times. This can help reduce injury-causing accidents. 

   Commissioner of Public Safety John A Danaher III said,  “To help make all Connecticut roads safer, every Connecticut driver should set the example over the Holiday season by being cautious when driving, always wearing a seatbelt, and never drinking and driving." 

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Lt. J. Paul Vance