Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and running through Sunday, Dec. 1, there will be an increased state police presence on the state's busiest roadways and travel outlets.
According to Connecticut State Police, it plans to supplement its normal routine patrol personnel with additional troopers throughout the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Across the state, Troopers will patrol roads and highways across Connecticut focusing on aggressive drivers, unsafe drivers, and drunk drivers.
Patrol troopers will be using both traditional and non-traditional patrol cars in an effort to observe traffic and dole out tickets to drivers breaking the law.
“We rely on the motoring public to obey all traffic laws and to be an extra set of eyes and ears on Connecticut roads,” noted Colonel Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of the State Police. “During this very busy long holiday weekend, please take the time to arrive at your destination safely. Check traffic and weather reports before you leave home and be patient as the roads will be filled with other drivers.”
During last year's Thanksgiving weekend, state police responded to:
- 573 speeding violations;
- 291 seatbelt violations;
- 1,965 other "hazardous" violations;
- 25 DUI arrests;
- 573 accidents investigated, including 60 with injuries, two with fatalities.
In Fairfield County, there will be a DUI checkpoint from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. on I-95 at exit 8 in Stamford on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
There will be roving DUI patrols on I-95 in the Milford/New Haven area and Route 15 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Norwalk on Friday, Nov. 29 and Stamford on Saturday, Nov. 30.
There will also be a roving DUI patrol from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. on I-95 in the Stamford/Norwalk area and on Route 8/25 in the Bridgeport area on Sunday, Dec. 1.
In addition to extra patrol cars and troopers out on the road, there will also be an increased police presence at Bradley International Airport.
"The air space will also be very crowded, as relatives and friends fly in and out of Bradley International Airport. Extra Troopers will be on duty there, ensuring safety as passengers dash in and out of the airport," police said. "It is always recommended that you check with the airlines to see if flights are on time to avoid waiting around the terminal."
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