File photo: David Ames, David Ames
Connecticut State Police are increasing traffic enforcement during this Memorial Day weekend and will target intoxicated drivers, speeders and those without seat belts.
State Troopers will use laser units for speed enforcement, as well as marked and unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to patrol the highways and roadways, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said in a news release.
Sobriety checkpoints will be set up at several locations throughout Connecticut and the State Police Aviation Unit will patrol roads from the sky.
Police are also participating in the National C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) program over the holiday. The operation will run through late Monday night.
Drivers are reminded to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution and allow extra time to reach their destination.
During last year’s Memorial Day weekend, State Police charged 54 drivers with DUI, 1,248 with speeding, 954 with seat belt violations and 4,142 with hazardous moving violations, according to the release. In addition, troopers investigated 301 motor vehicle accidents, 54 of those with injury, the release said.
“Good driving skills are essential to avoiding tragedies on Connecticut’s highways,” State Police Colonel Brian Meraviglia said in the release. “he enforcement efforts of our troopers – along with drivers who follow state law – are vital to maintaining danger-free roads for drivers and passengers.”