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

05/22/2009                           

                                                  

                          CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE                             

                       MEMORIAL DAY 2009 ENFORCEMENT

                                                    &

                        DWI PATROLS AND SPOT CHECKS

      As the unofficial start of summer is celebrated during Memorial Day Weekend, all motorists should consider the safety of others using Connecticut  roadways not only this weekend, but throughout the summer months. Using courteous driving skills, planning for traffic delays and safe travel to and from our destinations are part of a safe Memorial Day Weekend.

       The Connecticut State Police are reminding all motorists to please be observant and obey all rules of safety on our roads: BUCKLE UP, OBEY SPEED LIMITS, DON’T FOLLOW TOO CLOSE, HAVE NO DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING,STAY OFF THE CELLPHONE, and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

       During Memorial Day Weekend 2009, motorists should be aware that State Police Troopers will use all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety. State Troopers will utilize laser units for speed enforcement and marked & unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to patrol our highways and roadways. The State Police Aviation Unit will provide an eye from the sky as they also patrol travel roads across the state.

     “In the past we have seen several tragedies involving youths and motor vehicles.  These accidents remind us to pause and reflect on how important good driving skills and the actions of drivers can be,” said Department of Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III. “We are anticipating that increased awareness by motorists and enforcement efforts by State Troopers will help to increase safety and provide us with a safe Memorial Day weekend.”

      The Connecticut State Police are asking motorists to join the State Police Team by exercising courtesy on the roads and setting an example for the nation. Every motorist is urged to drive the speed limit, buckle up, avoid using a hand-held cell phone while driving and if you see a suspected drunk driver, stay a safe distance away and call 911, as this is a true emergency. Together the State Police and the citizens of Connecticut can keep Connecticut’s roadways safe.

       As we begin this Memorial Day Holiday, the State Police enforcement operation is designed to remind all motorists to plan ahead: if you drink, don’t drive.

       The Connecticut State Police will participate in the National C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) program over this Memorial Day Weekend. The goal of this operation is to join State Police across the country to enhance safety in all states. Motorists are reminded to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution and allow extra time to reach their destination.

       The Operation C.A.R.E. holiday weekend will begin on Friday May 22rd, 2009, and will continue until midnight Monday May 25th, 2009. Connecticut State Troopers are joining all New England State Police Departments concentrating on enforcement of DUI and safety belt laws during the entire holiday weekend.

        Over Memorial Day Weekend in 2008-

Connecticut State Police investigated - 

 263 motor vehicles accidents,

four fatal crashes that resulted in 7 deaths.

       Connecticut State Troopers will be on patrol over the entire holiday weekend. Trooper One (State Police helicopter) will fly patrols and monitor traffic from the sky. The “Click It Or Ticket” Campaign, our first campaign of this summer season, is continuing. The goal of the State Police enforcement effort is to rid the roads of aggressive and impaired drivers.

During Memorial Day Weekend of 2008-

 the State Police arrested-  66 drunk drivers,

 charged 1,217 motorists with speeding
and 1612 with seatbelt violations.

During Memorial Day Weekend 2009, Troopers will concentrate enforcement on all hazardous moving violations. Sobriety checkpoints will be set up at various locations throughout the state over the weekend. (LOCATIONS BELOW).

         Remember, obey all traffic laws and pay attention to your speed, don’t drink and drive.  If you see a suspected drunk driver report it immediately by calling 911. The click word for all motorists and their passengers for the weekend should be, “BUCKLE UP, IT’S THE LAW”. 

BELOW ARE THE DWI CHECK POINTS AND OR ROVING DWI PATROLS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND:

DISTRICT/TROOP   DATE:                                    CHECKPOINT LOCATION:

       

       WESTERN DISTRICT

   "B", N. CANAAN05/22/09   Roving patrols, Routes 44 and 318 in Barkhamsted, Routes 44 and 272 in Norfolk,

                                                        Routes 44, 202 and 179 in New Hartford, Routes 20, 179 and 181 in Hartland and

                                                        East and West Hartford, Route 8 North and South from Winsted to Litchfield Line,

                                                        Routes 182 and 183 in Colebrook.

                                      05/23/09    Roving patrols,  Routes 44 and 318 in Barkhamsted, Routes 44 and 272 in Norfolk,

                                                         Routes 44, 202 and 179 in New Hartford, Routes 20, 179 and 181 in Hartland and

                                                        East and West Hartford, Route 8 North and South from Winsted to Litchfield Line,

                                                        Routes 182 and 183 in Colebrook.

                                       05/24/09   Roving patrols,  Routes 44 and 318 in Barkhamsted, Routes 44 and 272 in Norfolk,

                                                         Routes 44, 202 and 179 in New Hartford, Routes 20, 179 and 181 in Hartland and

                                                         East and West Hartford, Route 8 North and South from Winsted to Litchfield Line,

                                                         Routes 182 and 183 in Colebrook.

                                       05/25/09    Roving patrols,  Routes 44 and 318 in Barkhamsted, Routes 44 and 272 in Norfolk,

                                                          Routes 44, 202 and 179 in New Hartford, Routes 20, 179 and 181 in Hartland and

                                                          East and West Hartford, Route 8 North and South from Winsted to Litchfield Line,

                                                          Routes 182 and 183 in Colebrook.

  "L", LITCHFIELD     05/22/09     Sobriety Checkpoint in conjunction with the Woodbury Resident Troopers and

                                                          Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit. 

                                                          Checkpoint will be at intersection of Routes 6 and 47.

                                                       

                                                          05/24/09   Roving patrols, Route 202 in Litchfield and to the Torrington Town Line and Bantam.

          Route 118 from Litchfield to Harwinton.

                                   05/25/09     Roving Patrols, Route 6 from Southbury Town Line to Watertown Town Line,

                                                       Route 254 in Litchfield to Thomaston Town Line and Route 63 in Litchfield and

                                                       Woodbury to Watertown and Goshen Town Lines.

           

"G",  BRIDGEPORT05/22/09     Sobriety Checkpoint, at the intersection of I-95 and Kings Highway in Fairfield.

"A", SOUTHBURY05/22/09      Roving patrols in Troop A’s patrol area including I-84 east and westbound

                                    05/23/09      Roving patrols in Troop A’s patrol area including I-84 east and westbound

                                    05/24/09      Sobriety Checkpoint I-84 westbound exit 18 off ramp to Highland Avenue.

    ______________________________________________________________________________

CENTRAL DISTRICT

"H", HARTFORD       05/22/09       Sobriety Checkpoint, I-84 eastbound exit 45 on ramp

                                        05/23/09       Roving patrols in greater Hartford area including I-84 and I-91.

"I", BETHANY           05/22/09       Sobriety Checkpoints, I-91 Entrance ramp from Willow Street/

                                                          Blatchley Avenue and I-91 southbound Exit #3 off ramp in New Haven.

                              05/23/09        Route 8, from Naugatuck Exit 28 to Shelton Exit 11 and I-91,

               from New Haven Exit 3 to Meriden Exit 19.

"F", WESTBROOK     05/23/09        Sobriety Checkpoint in area of Route 66 and Jackson Hill Road in Middlefield

                                                           In conjunction with the Middlefield Resident Troopers office and

                                                           the Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit.

                                     05/24/09        Sobriety Checkpoint on Route 156 in Old Lyme.  In conjunction with the

                                                            Old Lyme Resident Troopers office and Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit.

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EASTERN DISTRICT

"C", TOLLAND            05/22/09         Roving patrols, to include I-84 in Tolland, Route 190 in  Stafford,

                                                                Route 83 in Ellington, Route 32 in Mansfield.

                                         05/23/09         Roving patrols to include I-84 in Tolland, and Routes 195,

                                                                 74 and 44 in Mansfield.

"D", DANIELSON        05/22/09          Sobriety Checkpoint on Maple Street and North Street in Killingly.

"E", MONTVILLE         05/23/09          Roving patrols Route 2 in North Stonington.

                                     05/24/09         Roving patrols I-395, and Route 2 in Montville, Preston and Ledyard.

        "K", COLCHESTER      05/23/09         Roving patrols, Route 2 corridor between Marlborough and Norwich.

                                     05/24/09         Roving patrols, Route 6 between Andover and Willimantic.

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