CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE

                            PLAN LABOR DAY HOLIDAY ENFORCEMENT

The Labor Day Holiday is traditionally viewed as the last holiday of the summer season.  It is anticipated that 80% of all people taking advantage of this end of summer holiday will travel by car. The Connecticut State Police will participate in Operation “CARE” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and do expect a large volume of traffic on Connecticut’s roads and highways. AAA has also predicted that vehicle travel will be high this year. Nearly 33.4 million Americans will be traveling 50 mile or less to their holiday destination.

The Connecticut State Police will start the 2006 Labor Day Holiday enforcement effort at midnight 09/01/06 and continue the operation to midnight Monday September 4,2006. Connecticut State Police will utilize added manpower and all available equipment for this safety enforcement project.  The non-traditional State Police vehicles (Chevrolet Impalas, Cameros, Dodge Intrepid) the fixed wing aircraft, and the helicopter will be used to participate in speed enforcement and to search the roads and highways for the unsafe, erratic, and intoxicated drivers.  The use of seatbelts in all cars is mandated by law. All occupants should be instructed to wear their seat belt.  “Click it or expect a ticket”.  DUI Spot-checks have been scheduled to operate at several locations over the weekend all across the State of Connecticut.

Last year Connecticut State Police investigated 269 motor vehicle crashes 66 of which produced injury and no fatalities. This year State Police are working to reduce crashes in our state.

Consumption of alcohol and driving are against the law. A reminder from State Police “DRUNK DRIVING. OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST” This behavior endangers not only the drunk driver but also every other person who uses the roads and highways.  The State Police remind all drivers, don’t drink and drive, always designate a driver for everyone’s safety.

Commissioner Leonard Boyle said,  “All motorists are reminded that if you see a driver that you believe may be under the influence, report it immediately, that is a true emergency.  Help the Connecticut State Police remove all drunk drivers from all of our roads and highways”.  

State Police “Sobriety checkpoint” dates and locations for the Labor Day Holiday weekend follow.