Increased Traffic Volume Expected ~ Enforcement Efforts to Continue as School Bells Ring
Labor Day travel volume is typically heavy and the 2014 Labor Day weekend will be no exception. Connecticut State Police remind motorists to expect heavy traffic, exercise caution, and allow extra time to reach their destination. It is estimated that the number of people traveling by automobile for the holiday period will increase in New England compared to last year.
Connecticut State Troopers will be concentrating on enforcement of drunken driving, speeding, safety belt, and distracted driving laws during the entire Labor Day Weekend. Troopers will utilize both traditional and nontraditional patrol vehicles on patrol searching for reckless and intoxicated drivers. Troopers will man sobriety checkpoints and targeted patrols to intercept drunk drivers.
State Police Colonel Brian F. Meraviglia said, “As always, our Troopers will enhance safety of all roads and highways of Connecticut. We will be on alert for violators while we make every effort to protect all motorists and their passengers.”
Enforcement efforts by the State Police will continue into the fall as more than half-a-million children return to school across Connecticut. With many children typically walking or riding the bus to school, State Police remind ALL drivers to be especially vigilant watching for pedestrians during before- and after-school hours. The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for walking children – over the last decade nationally, nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 3 and 7 p.m.
If you see a suspected drunk driver, call 911, as that is a true emergency!
2013 Labor Day Weekend STATS:
1,513 speeding violations
- 237 seat belt violations
- 3,513 other violations (hazardous moving, cell phone usage, etc.)
- -more50
- arrests for driving under the influence
- Motor vehicle accidents that occurred:
- 259 total accidents
- 44 with injury
- 3 fatalities