Law enforcement across the state has extra eyes on the roads this holiday season.
With the help of a federal grant program called Operation Stop Another Needless Traffic Accident, or SANTA, officers cruising the streets are watching out for drunk driving, distracted driving and seatbelt violations.
"Whether you're in Groton, Willimantic, Ridgefield, the police departments are stepping up efforts to make sure that everyone has a safe holiday, and that starts with that drunk driver who can ruin not only his holiday but the holiday of someone else," said Willimantic Police Corporal Stan Parizo, Jr.
Over the last decade, Willimantic has seen a dramatic decrease in drunk driving arrests thanks to enforcement and education. Parizo said that in 2004, police made 361 of those arrests, but this year, the number is well below half that.
With the rainy weather expected over the next several days, police are also advising drivers to slow down and keep their distance from other vehicles.
