CT Sen. Hwang Urges Driver Caution During New Year's Eve Celebrations

News release from Connecticut Senate Republicans:

FAIRFIELD, CT — Sen. Tony Hwang, Ranking Senator on the Transportation Committee, issued the following statement regarding Connecticut having more roadway fatalities in 2024 than in 2023. The University of Connecticut, which tracks the state’s traffic deaths, notes 314 fatalities this year:

“As we welcome 2025 with celebrations among friends and loved ones, I urge everyone to prioritize safety, especially on our roadways. The alarming reality is that Connecticut saw 314 roadway fatalities in 2024, surpassing last year’s total of 308. This tragic milestone underscores the critical need for caution and responsibility as we gather to celebrate.

Despite bipartisan legislative efforts like addressing wrong-way driving, implementing Vision Zero roadway safety programs such as red-light and speed cameras, and fostering education and awareness campaigns, the sobering causes of roadway fatalities persist:

• Reckless and speeding drivers
• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving due to alcohol or substances

If you’re planning to drink or partake in substances, do not get behind the wheel. Please take precautions and plan ahead—designate a sober driver, arrange for a ride service, or ensure you have a safe way to get home.

Every single life lost is a preventable tragedy, and the ripple effects of these losses devastate families, friends, and communities. Let’s make a commitment this New Year to act responsibly and protect ourselves and others on the road.

Stay safe, cherish your loved ones, and let’s start 2025 with joy, not heartbreak. Together, we can reduce preventable tragedies and ensure everyone makes it home safely.”