Troop H Beefing Up Patrols In Hartford County For Memorial Day 2022

HARTFORD COUNTY, CT — Motorists along the state police Troop H corridor can expect a strong presence from troopers during the long Memorial Day weekend.

Troop H personnel will be monitoring state roads and highways during the three-day weekend with extra roving drunken driving patrols from the evening of May 26 through the evening of May 30, state police said.

Motorists should expect some traffic delays to pop up, state police said.

In addition to driving under the influence, troopers will be on the lookout for speeders, tailgating and distracted driving and "moving over" compliance, state police said. Troopers will employ "all methods" of enforcement, including laser units for speed as well as marked & unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to "proactively patrol roadways."

The Move Over Law will be stressed.

"Remember that the Move Over Law requires motorists approaching stationary emergency vehicles to immediately slow to a speed below the posted speed limit and, if traveling in the lane adjacent to an emergency vehicle, to move over one lane, unless it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so," state police said. "As defined by law, an “emergency vehicle” is any vehicle with activated flashing lights including ambulances, fire vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles or licensed wreckers. Please pay attention to these vehicles and those who may be working in the roadway nearby."

The potential for more traffic issues increases during a holiday weekend, said State Police Col. Stavros Mellekas.

“Lawful driving by all motor vehicle operators is vital to avoiding tragedies on Connecticut’s highways. We ask you to please follow state laws to help keep the roadway safe for all drivers, passengers and first responders," he added.

During the Memorial Day weekend troopers will employ all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety, including laser units for speed enforcement, as well as marked & unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to proactively patrol our roadways.

Here are the 2021 Memorial Day weekend enforcement numbers:

• Calls for service: 5,636
• Speeding: 379
• Seatbelt violations: 64
• Total violations (including unsafe lane change, following too closely, move over, etc.): 939
• DUI arrests: 30
• Accidents: 377
• With injury: 56
• Fatalities: 1