STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE

                  MEMORIAL DAY 2007 ENFORCEMENT   

   As we begin the kickoff of the summer season and we prepare for summer festivities, we must plan ahead for safety. Planning for heavy traffic, for safe travel to and from our destinations are all part of a safe Memorial Day weekend. We never want to think about unpleasant matters, especially those as unpleasant as a traffic crash.  People gathering to visit with family at barbeques or visits with friends, travel is expected to be greatly increased in and through our state. The Connecticut state Police want to remind all motorists to please be observant and also to obey all rules of safety on our roads: ALWAYS BUCKLE UP, OBEY SPEED LIMITS, DON’T FOLLOW TOO CLOSE, HAVE NO DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING, and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

   During Memorial Day Weekend 2007, motorists should be aware that additional Connecticut State Police Troopers will be using all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety. State Troopers will utilize laser units for speed enforcement, marked and new unmarked non-traditional police vehicles to patrol our highways and roadways. The State Police Aviation Unit will provide an eye from the sky as they also patrol the roads and highways across the state. As we begin this Memorial Day Holiday, the State Police enforcement operation is designed to remind all motorists to plan ahead: if you drink, don’t drive. All drivers should set an example by using good highway safety sense. This will also help keep our highways accident free.

   “Obviously, no one wants to face the Memorial Day Holiday suffering the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident”, said Department of Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III. “We are anticipating that increased awareness and enforcement will help to increase safety and assist us in having a safe Memorial Day holiday.”

   The Connecticut State Police are asking motorists to join the State Police team. Exercise courtesy on the roads, set the example for the nation. Drive the speed limit, buckle up, no cell phone use while driving , and if you see a suspected drunk driver this is a true emergency, stay a safe distance away, and call 911.

   Together the State Police and the citizens of Connecticut can work together to keep Connecticut’s roadways safe.

                        OPERATION C.A.R.E.

   The Connecticut State Police will participate in the National C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) program over this Memorial Day Weekend.

   The Operation C.A.R.E. holiday weekend will begin just after midnight on Friday May 25, 2007 and will continue through midnight Monday May 28^th, 2007. Connecticut State Troopers are joining all New England State Police Departments concentrating on the enforcement of  the DUI and Safety Belt laws during the entire holiday weekend.

   The Memorial Day Holiday is a celebration to honor our fallen military heroes. It also is traditionally the symbolic start of the summer vacation season and other summer activities in Connecticut. It is estimated that 28.5 million people will travel the nation’s highways this Memorial Day weekend. Over 5 million people are expected to be traveling through Connecticut and the northeast. Over Memorial Day 2006 State Police investigated 327 crashes with 5 fatal injuries.

Additional Connecticut State Troopers will be on patrol over the entire holiday weekend. Trooper One (State Police Aircraft) will fly patrols and monitor traffic from the sky. All available enforcement tools will be utilized to enhance highway safety. The “Click It Or Ticket Campaign, our first campaign of this summer season, is continuing. The goal of these State Police efforts is to rid the roads of aggressive and impaired drivers. In 2006 over Memorial Day Weekend State Police arrested 70 drunk drivers,  charged 1365 motorists with speeding, and 1380 with seatbelt violations. During Memorial Day 2007 weekend, Troopers will concentrate enforcement on all hazardous moving violations.   Sobriety Check Points will be set up at various locations throughout the state over the weekend. (LOCATIONS ATTACHED). This year more State Troopers will be added to the normal complement of patrol troopers during this busy holiday weekend. The goal of this operation is to enhance safety in the State of Connecticut. Motorists are reminded to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution, and allow extra time to reach their destination.

   “Obviously, no one wants to face the Memorial Day Holiday suffering the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident”, said Department of Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III. “We are anticipating that increased awareness and enforcement will help to increase safety and assist us in having a safe Memorial Day holiday.”

   Remember, obey all traffic laws and pay attention to your speed, don’t drink and drive.  If you see a suspected drunk driver report it immediately by calling 911. The click word for all motorists and their passengers for the weekend should be, “BUCKLE UP, IT’S THE LAW”. 

Sobriety Check Points-