MIDDLETOWN -- The Connecticut State Police are making more traffic stops and issuing more infractions since launching a special initiative to reduce highway fatalities and crashes across the state last month.
The expanded and targeted enforcement began in late February, when Gov. Ned Lamont declared that State Police are “sending a clear message that reckless driving is dangerous and illegal.”
From March 12 through March 18, Connecticut State Police made 2,669 total traffic stops, resulting in 1,369 infractions, most of them for speeding. That represents an increase of more than 1,100 traffic stops and nearly 650 infractions, compared to two weeks previous.
Concerns about reckless driving and speeding motorists have been growing since the start of the coronavirus pandemic four years ago. There were 303 traffic fatalities in Connecticut in 2021, 366 in 2022, and 322 in 2023, according to the state Department of Transportation. This year, there have been 53 fatalities on all roads in Connecticut. There have been three wrong-way fatal crashes and 7 deaths.
Troopers have expanded enforcement in areas where there have been higher fatalities and crashes. This includes Route 15, I-95, I-91, and rural roads in Connecticut. Additional enforcement is planned for I-91 in the Hartford area and later along I-84 between Danbury and Waterbury.
Since the deaths of four people on I-95 in West Haven on Feb. 25, there have been no fatal or serious injury collisions in the primary enforcement areas.
“The targeted enforcement is working. We are doing what we said we would do. Police are making contact with drivers and taking enforcement action when necessary,’’ said Interim Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins. “Speed has been identified as a significant factor in many fatal crashes. If we can get people to slow down we can reduce the number of crashes.”
“We are going to continue to do exactly what we have been doing for the last few weeks, which is to provide more visibility and increased contact with those who are violating the laws on our highways and byways,’’ Higgins said.
“As always, the Connecticut State Police is dedicated to maintaining the safety of all operators and passengers on our highways. While some operators persist in flaunting state traffic laws, our Troopers continue to conduct enhanced enforcement efforts. The numbers demonstrate that our enforcement is effective across the state,” said Interim Colonel Daniel Loughman, Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police.
“The State Police are using a data-driven approach to identify targeted areas of enforcement. I want to assure motorists that Troopers are out there 24/7 to deter operators from driving aggressively,” Loughman noted. “Aggressive and distracted driving creates hazardous conditions on our roadways, and we urge all drivers to follow the rules of the road.”
For more information, contact:
- Rick Green, DESPP Director of Communications, 860-828-6681, richard.green@ct.gov