Christmas/ New Year 2016-17 DUI Checkpoints in Connecticut

Roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints will be in place throughout Connecticut on Christmas and New Year's weekend.

Brian McCready, Patch Staff

Posted Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 7:22 pm ET|Updated Sat, Dec 24, 2016 at 3:15 pm ET

Connecticut State Police will once again be out in force this holiday weekend as extra roving patrols are planned along with several DUI checkpoints. In 2015, during the Christmas holiday period five fatal accidents were reported along with 461 total accidents and 40 DUI arrests.

Connecticut State Troopers remind motorists that combining careful planning with sensible driving will lead to safer holiday travel for all making a trek during the busiest travel week of the year.

Many travelers are expected to hit Connecticut highways during the upcoming holidays. State Police 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. (See below for a list of where the additional patrols and DUI checkpoints will be held in Connecticut.)

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Connecticut State Police said "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:

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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," State Police said. "Please be our partner in keeping the roadways safe for all motorists."

State Police will operate roving patrols and conduct DUI checkpoints starting December 22 and continuing through the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.

Complete Guide to Extra Patrols and DUI Checkpoints in Connecticut

12/24/16

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

12/25/16

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

12/26/16

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

12/29/16

Roving Patrols – Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

12/30/16

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

12/31/16

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

01/01/17

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton Route 72 in and Harwinton

01/02/17

Roving Patrols - Route 8 Corridor 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 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton

12/30/16

DUI Sobriety Checkpoint – Interstate 91 Exit 3 in Greenwich. This will be in conjunction with the Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit

12/24/16