The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Office of Highway Safety announced its participation in the Slow Down New England initiative, an anti-speeding enforcement effort to raise awareness and change dangerous driver behavior. Together, the New England states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont launched the regional safety initiative earlier this week at a joint press conference in New Hampshire.
In 2020, there were 11,258 people killed in speeding-related crashes, accounting for 29% of all fatal crashes in the United States. Additionally, 87 percent of all speeding-related traffic fatalities on American roads occurred on non-interstate roadways.
In Connecticut in 2021, of 307 total fatalities, 32 percent were speeding-related. In 2020, of 295 fatalities, 32 percent were speeding-related, up 50 percent from 2019.
“We are thankful for our regional partners for supporting our shared mission to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding to keep all New England residents safe,” said Garrett Eucalitto, Deputy Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. “In Connecticut, 2022 is on track to be the deadliest year on our roads in decades. People are driving way too recklessly.”
The New England states planned the Slow Down New England summer-wide speed mobilizations in their respective states to show a united front about reducing speeds on New England roadways.
“Speeding and aggressive driving are deliberate, selfish choices.” added Eucalitto. “Driving is an enormous responsibility that drivers must take seriously to keep themselves and other roadway users safe. We hope drivers see that the partnership with our neighboring states shows how serious we are taking this.”
Connecticut has increased its efforts to enforce speed limits, which began on July 1 and will continue through September 5, 2022.