CSP to conduct DUI patrols through Labor Day weekend

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — State police are reminding people to be careful and take appropriate safety measures as Labor Day weekend approaches.

As usual, troopers will be patrolling the highways throughout the long weekend- which always see more vehicles this time of year.

Troopers from each troop across the state will also be conducting roving DUI patrols from midnight on Friday, Aug. 30 to about midnight on Monday, Sept. 2.

Commanding Officer of the Connecticut State Police Colonel Daniel Loughman said drivers should plan for busy roads and follow state traffic laws.

“Your Connecticut State Troopers expect heavy traffic during this long holiday weekend. We remind drivers that arriving safely at their destination should always be their priority,” Loughman said in a statement.

The Move Over Law is one police want you to keep in mind when you’re approaching any vehicle that is stationary or traveling very slowly on the shoulder, in a lane, or a breakdown lane.

If observed, highway drivers are required to immediately reduce their speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit and if traveling in the lane closest to the stationary vehicle, move over one lane away if able.

State police remind anyone planning to consume alcohol or cannabis to choose a designated driver so “this long holiday weekend is not marred by a tragedy.”

If you observe a suspected impaired driver on the road, call 911.

Labor Day Weekend stats for previous years, provided by state police:

2023

Calls for Service: 5,196
Total violations (to include unsafe lane change, following too closely, cell phone use, speeding,
etc.): 678
DUI Arrests: 25
Speeding: 653
Seatbelt violations: 6
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 313
With injury: 36
Fatalities: 2

2022

Calls for service: 6,153
Motorist Assists: 497
Speeding: 377
Total traffic violations: 819 (to include: seatbelt, unsafe lane change, following too closely, move
over, distracted driving, etc)
DUI arrests: 30
Motor vehicle accidents: 345
With serious injury: 2 (Trumbull, New Britain)
Fatalities: 0

2021

Calls for service: 6,296
Speeding: 515
Seatbelt violations: 19
Total traffic violations: 282
DUI arrests: 41
Motor vehicle accidents: 406
With serious injury: 2
Fatalities: 3

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