Sen. Hwang Raises Awareness & Enforcement To Combat Impaired Driving

News release from Connecticut Senate Republicans:

FAIRFIELD, CT — State Senator Tony Hwang (R—Fairfield) and the Connecticut State Police gathered at Connecticut State Police Troop G for an important press conference aimed at raising awareness, planning and law enforcement efforts addressing the critical issue of impaired and distracted driving during the busy New Year holiday season.

Senator Hwang, along with Connecticut State Police Lieutenant Thomas Ehret, discussed the alarming rise and danger of impaired driving, particularly the dangerous combination of alcohol and designer drugs. The press conference highlighted how these substances continue to put drivers, passengers, and pedestrians at risk, especially during periods of high traffic, such as the holiday season.

Senator Hwang shared recent statistics from the Thanksgiving holiday period, which underscored the dangers of impaired driving. Over the five-day holiday, troopers made 1,300 traffic stops, responded to more than 5,000 calls for service, and arrested 30 individuals for DUI. Additionally, there were 475 crashes, 31 of which caused injuries and 2 that resulted in fatalities. These figures emphasize the ongoing challenges with impaired driving and the need for continued vigilance during the busy holiday travel period.

“Holiday celebrations and roadway travel comes with added risks, and impaired driving is a major concern,” said Senator Tony Hwang. “One death is one too many in preventable tragedies. All of us need to do better as a community. This is about being aware of the risks, planning ahead, and making the responsible choice to ensure everyone gets home safely. I want to thank the Connecticut State Police and all law enforcement officers for their hard work and commitment to keeping our roads safe during this busy season.”

“The Connecticut State Police are committed to keeping the public safe during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays,” added Lieutenant Ehret. “Impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes and fatalities, and driving under the influence is a crime, not a mistake. While the holidays are a time to celebrate, safety must come first. We ask the public to plan ahead, look out for friends and family, and never drive impaired. One smart decision can save a life and prevent a tragedy.”

In addition, an important announcement from UBER, rideshare services was made, highlighting a new initiative to offer safe, reliable rideshare options during the New Year holiday week. Uber is offering a special discount code, “CTSAFE25”, which gives Connecticut riders $25 off their ride. This is another tool for travelers to plan ahead and ensure they get home safely if they’ve been drinking or using legal and prescription drugs.

“We want to ensure that the public has the resources and awareness they need to make safe choices during their holiday celebration with friends and loved ones,” said Senator Hwang. “Impaired driving tragedies are preventable, and we encourage all drivers to plan for a sober and distraction-free trip.”

Colonel Daniel Loughman also offered a comment on the necessary steps to take to ensure you are not driving impaired, saying “over the holiday season it is important that every person take the responsibility for the safety of everyone out on the roadways. It is imperative that we all help to reduce the risks that are involved with impaired driving, and if we see someone who is looking to make a bad decision we help them to correct that. Let’s not make the bad decisions ourselves, and make sure that if you are going to go out that we have a designated driver, call a rideshare, or stay where you are.”

As the holiday season continues, law enforcement will continue to ramp up their efforts to combat impaired driving, including the use of sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols. Officials reminded the public that everyone has a responsibility to make safe decisions on the road and above all, use common sense and responsibility.