Connecticut State Police To Be Out In Force For Long Holiday Weekend

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Drivers in the Nutmeg State should expect a strong presence from Connecticut State Police on local roads and highways for the 2024 Memorial Day weekend.

Troopers from the 11 State Police barracks will conduct extra roving drunken driving patrols from 12 a.m. on May 24 through 11:59 p.m. on May 27, officials said.

"Troopers are asking operators to utilize lawful driving skills and plan for traffic delays as more
drivers venture out this weekend," state police said. "Safety should always be the top priority for all drivers, whenever they get behind the wheel."

The emphasis, state police said, will not be limited to DUI patrols. They will be enforcing seatbelt, speed limits, tailgating and distracted driving laws, officials said.

And the "Move-Over Law."

"Remember that the Move Over :aw requires motorists approaching any stationary vehicle to
immediately slow to a speed below the posted speed limit and, if traveling in the lane adjacent to
a stationary vehicle, to move over one lane, unless it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so," state police said. "This includes other citizen vehicles and emergency vehicles such as 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."

Added state police commander Col. Daniel Loughman, "We anticipate a busy Memorial Day weekend, as residents kick off summer, attend graduations, weddings, parties, or simply head to the beach. As the roads fill up with vehicles, more traffic issues will pop up throughout the state. The cooperation of all drivers is essential to avoiding tragedies on our roads. As always, we ask operators to please follow state laws to help keep the roadway safe for all drivers, passengers and first responders."

Loughman said that, during the long holiday weekend, state troopers will be employing "all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety," including laser units for speed enforcement, as well as marked and unmarked non-traditional police vehicles, to "proactively patrol our roadways."

In addition, troops throughout the state will be conducting roving DUI patrols in each jurisdictional area, officials said.

2023 Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Statistics

• Calls for service: 5,880
• Speeding: 518
• Seatbelt violations: 208
• Hazardous moving violations (including unsafe lane change, following too closely, move over,
• etc): 576
• DUI arrests: 36
• Motor Vehicle Accidents: 273
• With reported injuries: 32
• With serious injuries: 2
• Fatalities: 4

2022 Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Statistics

• Calls for service: 6,448
• Motorist assists: 547
• Speeding: 615
• Seatbelt violations: 145
• Hazardous moving violations: 451
• DUI arrests: 37
• Accidents: 359
• With reported injuries: 35
• With serious injuries: 1
• Fatalities: 10