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State Police Announce Dates, Sites For Holiday Details

With a record number of travelers expected to hit the road this holiday season, Connecticut State Police are cautioning area residents to mind the rules of the road take it easy on the eggnog if they’re going to get behind the wheel.

Connecticut State Police.

Connecticut State Police.

 Photo Credit: File
Zak Failla
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Fresh on the heels of one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel seasons, Americans getting ready to go on the move for the Christmas and New Year holidays. AAA estimates that a record-breaking 112.5 million travelers - more than a third of all Americans - are expected to visit family and friends for the holiday.

AAA estimates that an estimated 102 million of those travelers will be doing so by car.

In response, Connecticut State Police announced it would be beefing up roving patrols and conducting DUI checkpoints beginning on Friday, Dec. 21. The emphasis patrols will last through Wednesday, Jan. 2.

To avoid getting a ticket, police said that motorists should: 

  • Drive the speed limit;
  • Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you;
  • Ensure that all passengers are wearing seatbelts;
  • Signal when turning, changing lanes or taking an exit;
  • Refrain from texting or using your phone;
  • Never consume alcoholic beverages or drugs, including those legally prescribed, before you get behind the wheel;
  • Immediately reduce speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit or move over one lane (whenever safe to do so) whenever law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances or tow trucks are occupying a lane. Please give them room to do their job efficiently and safely.

“We ask that all motorists pay attention to weather forecasts before they head for their destinations and always use caution while traveling on Connecticut roads. If you get behind the wheel, please make the safety of those on the road your top priority," State Police Col. George F. Battle stated. “Our Troopers will be patrolling state highways with a keen focus on those driving with distractions and those operating under the influence. Every driver has the opportunity to be our partner by obeying state laws on the road.”

Emphasis patrols and DUI checkpoints are scheduled for:

Troop A

  • 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., from Thursday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 26, there will be roving DUI enforcement patrols from Waterbury to Danbury;
  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 30 there will be checkpoints on Route 67 and the intersection of Mountain Road in Oxford;
  • 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. from Thursday, Dec. 27 through Wednesday, Jan. 2 there will be DUI patrols from Waterbury to Danbury.

Troop B

  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. from Thursday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 26, there will be DUI patrols on Routes 4, 7, 8, 44, 63, 202 and 272;
  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22, there will be a checkpoint on Route 44 in New Hartford.

Troop C

  • From 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Dec. 21, 22, 29 and 31, there will be enforcement patrols on highways and rural roads throughout the area.

Troop D

  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, 22, there will be DUI enforcement patrols in Troop D towns.

Troop E

  • On Friday, Dec. 21, there will be DUI checkpoints and enforcement patrols in North Stonington and the rest of Troop E.

Troop F

  • On Friday, Dec. 21, and Saturday, Dec. 22, there will be DUI checkpoints and enforcement patrols on I-95 and Route 9;
  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28 there will be sobriety checkpoints on Route 66 between Jackson Hill Road and Peters Lane in Middlefield;
  • On Saturday, Dec. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 30 there will be more DUI enforcement details on I-95 and Route 9.

Troop G

  • 7 p.m. and 3 a.m., on Friday, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 there will be DUI enforcement on I-95, I-91, and Route 4 in New Haven. There will also be details around I-95, Route 8 and Route 25 in the Bridgeport/Stratford/Trumbull area.

Troop H

  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, there will be a checkpoint on I-84 at exit 46.

Troop I

  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20 there will be DUI enforcement on Route 8 in Shelton, Ansonia and Derby;
  • 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 21, there will be patrols on I-91 in the area of I-691 in Meriden;
  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27 patrols will be on Route 15 in North Haven;
  • 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 28, there will be patrols on I-691 in Meriden near I-91.

Troop K

  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, patrols will be in the area of Lebanon, Bozrah, Franklin and Windham;
  • 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23 patrols will be in and around the area of Bolton, Columbia and Andover.

Troop L

  • 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily from Thursday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Dec. 26 there will be roving DUI patrols on Route 4, 6, 7, 8, 45, 47, 61, 63, 64, 72, 109, 132, 202, 254, 341.

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