State police are stepping up patrols for the 4th of July weekend as many people travel on Connecticut roads to go to cookouts, the beach and fireworks for the holiday.
The state Department of Transportation and state police are trying to get the message out to motorists not to drink and drive. It's part of Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort).
From midnight July 3 through midnight July 5, there will be dozens of DUI checkpoints across Connecticut. State police will be focusing on areas where there have been alcohol-related crashes in particular.
“We ask all Connecticut residents to obey the rules of the road: Wear a seatbelt, keep both hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road, drive the speed limit and please be courteous to other drivers,” Dr. Dora B. Schriro, commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said in a statement. “Your participation and cooperation matters.”
State police are also putting up laser speed measuring units on highways and secondary roads in effort to reduce speeding.
Connecticut's new driving under the influence law went into effect on Wednesday. Anyone charged with driving under the influence will have his or her license suspended and will be required to have a mandatory breathalyzer in his or her car. The ignition interlock device requires drivers to blow into the breathalyzer every time they start the car and the vehicle will only run if the person doesn't exceed the legal limit for alcohol.
“Connecticut drivers can help State Troopers keep our highways safe by setting an example. Drive the speed limit, don’t drink alcohol and drive, and immediately report a suspected drunk drivers to police by calling 911, as this is a true emergency," Col. Brian Meraviglia, commander of the state police, said.
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Between 2009 and 2013, 40 percent of all traffic fatalities Independence Day weekend were related to alcohol.
Last year during 4th of July weekend, state police issued 1,559 tickets for speeding, 297 seatbelt violation tickets and made 42 DUI arrests. They issued 3,841 tickets for other hazardous moving violations. There were 312 motor vehicle crashes, including 47 with injury. State police said there were no fatal crashes for the holiday weekend last year.
The DOT cautions people to make alternate plans to safely return home if you are drinking like calling a cab, having a designated driver or taking public transportation.
Click here for the full list of state police sobriety checkpoints and roving patrol locations.
