(MIDDLETOWN, CT – May 26, 2022) – With the busy Memorial Day weekend approaching, the
Connecticut State Police expect a greater number of vehicles to be back on the roads and highways.
Traditionally, Memorial Day weekend is the start to activities related to beaches, backyards and
barbeques. State Troopers are standing by to ensure that highways are free of hazardous drivers as residents
drive to their destinations.
Be assured that your Connecticut State Troopers will be patrolling state roads and highways during the
three-day weekend. Troopers from each of the agency’s 11 troops will be conducting extra roving DUI
patrols from the evening of May 26 through the evening of May 30.
It’s a great time to spend be with friends and family, so Troopers ask you to utilize lawful driving skills
and plan for traffic delays as more drivers venture out. Safety should always be the top priority for all drivers
whenever they get behind the wheel.
Some safety tips – and laws – that Troopers ask you to remember: BUCKLE UP, OBEY SPEED
LIMITS, DON’T FOLLOW TOO CLOSE, REMOVE DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING, STAY OFF
THE CELLPHONE, and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.
Remember that the “Move Over” law requires motorists approaching stationary emergency vehicles to
immediately slow to a speed below the posted speed limit and, if traveling in the lane adjacent to an emergency
vehicle, to move over one lane, unless it is unreasonable or unsafe to do so. As defined by law, “emergency
vehicle” is any vehicle with activated flashing lights including ambulances, fire vehicles, law enforcement
vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles or licensed wreckers. Please pay attention to these vehicles and those
who may be working in the roadway nearby.
“We rely on the motoring public to serve as our partners in road safety. The potential for more traffic issues
increases during a holiday weekend,” said State Police Colonel Stavros Mellekas. “Lawful driving by all motor
vehicle operators is vital to avoiding tragedies on Connecticut’s highways. We ask you to please follow state laws to help keep the roadway safe for all drivers, passengers and first responders
During Memorial Day Weekend 2022, motorists should be aware that Connecticut State Troopers will
employ all methods of enforcement to increase highway safety, including laser units for speed enforcement, as
well as marked & unmarked, non-traditional police vehicles to proactively patrol our roadways.
Troopers at Troop D, Danielson, will be conducting a DUI/Sobriety checkpoint during the evening of Friday,
May 27, 2022, on Route 44 in the vicinity of Route 21, in Putnam. The Troop D Troopers will work in
conjunction with Troopers from the Traffic Services Unit to conduct this checkpoint to ensure the highest
possible degree of safety for motorists during the holiday period.
In addition, Troops throughout the state will be conducting roving DUI patrols in each Troop area.
2021 Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Stats:
Calls for service: 5,636
Speeding: 379
Seatbelt violations: 64
Total violations (including unsafe lane change, following too closely, move over, etc):: 939
DUI arrests: 30
Accidents: 377
With injury: 56
Fatalities: 1
2020 Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement stats:
Calls for Service: 7,963
SPEEDING: 983
SEATBELT violations: 39
TOTAL violations (including unsafe lane change, following too closely, move over, etc): 2,017
DUI arrests: 33
ACCIDENTS:
Investigated: 175
No fatalities
2019 Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement stats:
Calls for Service: 7,540
SPEEDING: 607
SEATBELT: 448
TOTAL VIOLATIONS: 2,242 (unsafe lane change, following too closely, cell phone, texting, speeding,etc.)
DUI ARRESTS: 20
ACCIDENTS: Investigated: 341
With injury: 52
Fatal: 1
A reminder to obey all traffic laws, pay attention to your speed and if you plan to drink, please
designate a driver. If you see a suspected drunk driver report it immediately by calling 911, as this is a true
emergency