STATE POLICE INTRODUCE

NEW SPEED LASER DEVICES

In a continuing effort to reduce speeding on Connecticut roadways, the Connecticut State Police has added 89 speed laser devices to traffic units across the state.

The new lasers employ the latest in speed laser technology and, during the testing of these new devices, they were found to acquire target vehicle speeds noticeably faster that the existing models.  That feature will allow the State Police to increase operational efficiency and reduce the likelihood of drivers eluding detection through the use of laser detectors.

State Police issued a total of 66,864 citations for speeding in 2007.  During the first six months of 2008, State Police issued 37,615 speeding citations, 16 percent more than the same period for 2007.

The total cost of the 89 new lasers is $167, 720; they were purchased using a State Department of Transportation highway safety federal grant. The lasers have been deployed to all patrol Troops and to the agency’s Traffic Services Unit.

“The role of the State Police is to keep all Connecticut residents safe and reduce accidents, whether on the highways or in their homes.  These new devices will allow our Troopers to use the latest technology to stop speeding drivers in their tracks,” noted Commissioner John A. Danaher III, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

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