Christmas 2017 DUI Checkpoints, Roving Patrols in Connecticut

Connecticut State Police on Saturday announced several planned DUI checkpoints and extra roving patrols for the Christmas holiday weekend. State Police are adding numerous extra troopers to the roadways this holiday weekend in an attempt to crackdown on DUI drivers.

"Connecticut State Troopers remind motorists that combining careful planning with sensible driving will lead to safer holiday as they travel to holiday celebrations. Many travelers are expected to hit Connecticut highways during the upcoming holidays. State Troopers ask motorists to follow all driving laws, as their behavior on the roads is essential to keeping potential hazards at a distance," State Police said in a news release.

Simply putting traffic laws into practice will prevent accidents and save lives:

• 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 alcohol or prescription drugs before you get behind the wheel.
• Move over (when 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.

Drivers are also reminded to plan their trips with care:

• Fill the gas tank prior to your journey.
• Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid and tire pressure.
• Fully charge your cell phone.
• Carry winter blankets, drinking water and snacks
• Check traffic conditions before leaving home
• Keep a shovel and sand or salt in the trunk of your vehicle.

"Your cooperation is critical to ensuring the well-being of all who are driving our highways and roads throughout the holiday weekend. Whenever you get behind the wheel, safety must be your top priority. Please be our partner in keeping the roadways safe for all motorists," State Police said.

State Police will operate roving patrols and conduct DUI checkpoints starting December 22, 2017 and continuing through the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. Troopers will enforce all motor vehicle laws and focus on reducing the number of DUIs, crashes and injury-producing accidents occurring on the interstates, state roads and local roadways.

Troop A - Southbury
On December 23 beginning at 7:00 p.m. and ending on December 24 at 3:00 a.m., Troopers will conduct a DUI/sobriety checkpoint at Route 67 and Mountain Road in Oxford.

Troop B - North Canaan
On December 23 and 26, Troopers will conduct roving patrols on Route 8 from Exit 43 to the Massachusetts state line, on Routes 44 and 7 in Canaan and Salisbury, on Routes 202 and 44 in New Hartford, on Routes 4 and 63 in Goshen and on Routes 272 and 44 in Norfolk.

Troop C - Tolland
On December 23 and 26, from 6:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. each day, Troopers will conduct roving patrols and DUI enforcement in Ashford, Ellington, Mansfield, Tolland, Union, Somers, Stafford and Willington, as well as Interstate 84 from Manchester to the Massachusetts state line.

Troop D – Danielson
Friday, December 22, 2017, through Tuesday, December 26, 2017, and Friday, December 29, 2017, through Monday, January 1, 2018, additional troopers will be conducting roving patrols and DUI enforcement on all highways and roadways in the Troop D patrol area.

Troop E – Montville
From Thursday, December 21, 2017 through Tuesday, December 26, 2017, Troopers from Troop E will conduct patrols of I-395 (exits 9-18), I-395 (Gold Star Bridge, exits 83-84), Route 164 Griswold and Preston areas and Route 2 North Stonington area.

Troop G- Bridgeport
On Dec. 22, 23 and 26, Troopers will conduct roving patrols on Interstate 95 and Routes 15, 8, 25 and 7.

Troop H - Hartford
On December 23, 24 and 26, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. those days, Troopers will conduct roving patrols and DUI enforcement on Interstates 84 and 91 in the towns of Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Manchester and Windsor.

Troop I - Bethany
From 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on December 22 and December 23, 2017, and from 6:00 p.m. through 2:00 a.m. on December 24, Troopers will be deployed to Route 8 in the Shelton, Ansonia and Derby areas; I-91 in the area of I-691 in Meriden; I-91 in the New Haven and North Haven area; and Route 15 in the area of Hamden and New Haven.

Troop K - Colchester
December 23, 24 and 26, from 6:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m. on those days, Troopers will conduct patrols on Routes 2, 6, 11, 66, 85, and 384.

Troop L - Litchfield
Friday, December 22, 2017 through Tuesday, December 26, 2017 troopers will conduct patrols on Route 8 between exit 37 in Watertown to Exit 42 in Harwinton, Routes 6 & 64 in Woodbury, Routes 202 & 254 in Litchfield, Routes 7 & 341 in Kent, Routes 63 & 109 in Morris, Routes 45 & 47 in Washington, Routes 132 & 61 in Bethlehem, Route 4 Burlington / Harwinton, and Route 72 in Harwinton.

Image via Shutterstock