Despite the holiday falling on a Tuesday, people across Connecticut will be hitting the roads to celebrate with family and friends. This means increased traffic and more risks for getting in an accident.
According to the Hartford Courant, experts estimate that more than 44 million people will travel more than 50 miles over the holiday weekend, which is considered Friday through Tuesday, July 4. This is up almost three percent from last year’s 2016 traffic, which was record-breaking. Being vigilant behind the wheel is especially important as more drivers mean there could be more people who are not familiar with their routes, drivers who are distracted behind the wheel, and drivers who have partied too much and should not be driving in the first place.
In response to these hazards, the Stratford Star published a press release the Connecticut State Police issued stating that officers will be out in increased force this weekend. Patrols will be greater in number and will be placed strategically along highways to keep speed under control. There will also be DUI checkpoints conducted by State Troopers and roving patrols as well throughout the weekend. There will be increased concentration of officer efforts at locations that have seen multiple instances of crashes and incidents where alcohol was involved. Officers will be using laser units to detect drivers’ speeds and will be patrolling in both marked and unmarked vehicles in an effort to keep the roads safe. Officers are asking drivers not to get on the roads after drinking, keep distractions like cell phones out of reach and follow the speed limit.
