How state police, DOT are working to crack down on dangerous driving in Connecticut

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Dangerous driving has become a trend in Connecticut, especially over the past couple of weeks, as state police have been releasing the mug shots of their recent reckless driving arrests.

State police say that whether it’s drunk driving or speeding, there is very little room to make life-or-death decisions.

“You could think you’re the best driver in the world but if somebody pulls over and cut you off or there’s something in the road new swerve, it’s very unlikely that you may survive that traffic accident,” Sgt. John List with the Connecticut State Police said.

To combat the problem, state police have been using radars, lasers, aircraft and undercover vehicles to stop dangerous drivers, as well as the usual state police cruisers.

Data shows that Interstate 91 has the highest speeds in the state, making it a target area for not only police but for the department of transportation (DOT), as they continue to add more wrong way detection systems. Since December, they have been averaging three wrong way drivers a week that see the flashing lights and turn around.

“We are trying to figure out where there are potential hotspots, and we know the ramps that we have targeted to put this technology on it, will have more than 100 activated by the end of this year and will keep going in 2025,” Josh Morgan, a spokesperson for the CTDOT, said.

Data says that nearly all wrong-way accidents are fatal.

“When we see the data after there’s a fatal crash, the driver is almost always found to be impaired by alcohol, so we are looking at ramps that are near bars and restaurants and hotels, places that are going to be serving alcohol,” Morgan said.

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