Police Crack Down on Unsafe Driving, Arrest Two for DUI

Don’t be surprised if you see more police cars during your rush hour commute: the Oxford Resident Trooper’s Office is cracking down on speeders, distracted-and-drunken-drivers.

While police are always on the lookout for such dangerous activity, traffic enforcement will be increased over the next couple of weeks, said Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky.

“We’re going to do our best to be out there and be visible especially during rush hour,” he said.

The ramped up enforcement paid off over the weekend as police took two suspected drunken drivers off the road. The first occurred at 9:57 Friday night when police received a call of someone driving erratically near the at 357 Oxford Road. Police pulled over James Donato, 67, of 26 Highland Road, and arrested him for failure to drive right and driving under the influence.

He was released on a $500 non-surety bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on April 8.

Just after 1 a.m. Saturday, police pulled over a Seymour man for driving too fast and arrested him for drunken driving, police stated in a news release.

Police said they noticed Richard Luby, 28, of 63 Old Ansonia Road, was driving fast on Route 67 near its intersection with Governors Hill Road, according to a police report.

Luby failed a sobriety test and was charged with driving unreasonably fast for conditions and driving under the influence, according to the report. He was released on a $750 non-surety bond and is scheduled to be arraigned at Derby Superior Court on April 8.

Connecticut state police are cracking down on talking or texting while driving all over the state. The state Department of Public Safety gives the following advice about how to avoid distracted driving:

• Use a hands-free device for cell phones
• Never read maps, newspapers or other materials
• Never attempt to remove coats or change clothes
• Conduct personal grooming - shaving, applying makeup, styling hair - after arriving at their destination
• Never engage in conversations with passengers that divert their concentration
• Ensure children are properly restrained before a car is in motion
• Do not attempt to pick up lost or fallen items
• Adjust controls, such as radio, mirrors or temperature before the car is in motion