State Police Release DUI Checkpoints for New Year's 2015

Connecticut State Troopers are reminding motorists that combining careful planning with sensible driving will lead to safer holiday trips this year.

“With lower gasoline prices this month, many more travelers are expected to drive on Connecticut highways during the upcoming holidays,” police said in a prepared statement. “State Police ask motorists to follow all driving laws, as their behavior on the roads is essential to keeping potential hazards at a distance.”

Christmas and New Year’s DUI Roving Patrols and Sobriety Checkpoints

“Our troopers will be patrolling highways with a keen focus on those driving with distractions and those operating under the influence. Please be our partner in keeping the roadways safe for all by obeying all rules of the road,” said Colonel Brian Meraviglia, Commanding Officer of the CT State Police, in a written statement.

Connecticut State Police released the following information on patrols and checkpoints, organized by district or troop, date and checkpoint location.

Troop G

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols - Interstate 95 and Routes 7, 8, 15, 25 and 34 in Troop G patrol area

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols - Interstate 95 and Routes 7, 8, 15, 25 and 34 in Troop G patrol area

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols - Interstate 95 and Routes 7, 8, 15, 25 and 34 in Troop G patrol area

• 01/03/16 Roving Patrols - Interstate 95 and Routes 7, 8, 15, 25 and 34 in Troop G patrol area

Troop A

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols - Interstate 84 in the greater Danbury and Waterbury areas in Troop A patrol area

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols - Interstate 84 in the greater Danbury and Waterbury areas in Troop A patrol area

• 01/02/16 DUI Sobriety Checkpoint – Interstate 84 westbound, exit 18 to Highland Avenue; This will be in conjunction with the Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit

Troop B

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols – Route 8 Limited Access Highway and Route 4 in the towns of Torrington and Goshen

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols – Route 8 Limited Access Highway and Route 44 in the towns of Winsted, Barkhamsted, and New Hartford

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols – Route 7 and 44 in the towns of North Canaan, Falls Village and Norfolk

• 01/03/16 Roving Patrols – Route 44, 202 and 219 Torrington, New Hartford and Barkhamsted

Central Connecticut: Troop H

• 12/27/15 Roving Patrols – Interstate 84 and 91 in city of Hartford, towns of West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester and Windsor

Troop F

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols – Route 9 in Middletown, Route 66 in Middlefield and Interstate 95 in Westbrook

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols – Route 9 in Middletown, Route 66 in Middlefield and Interstate 95 in Westbrook

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols – Route 9 in Middletown, Route 66 in Middlefield and Interstate 95 in Westbrook

• 01/03/16 Roving Patrols – Route 9 in Middletown, Route 66 in Middlefield and Interstate 95 in Westbrook

Eastern: Troop C

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols - Routes 30, 32, 44, 74, 83, 190, 195, and I-84 in the towns of Ashford, Ellington, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, and Willington

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 30, 32, 44, 74, 83, 190, 195, and I-84 in the towns of Ashford, Ellington, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, and Willington

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 30, 32, 44, 74, 83, 190, 195, and I-84 in the towns of Ashford, Ellington, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, and Willington

• 01/03/16 Roving patrols - Routes 30, 32, 44, 74, 83, 190, 195, and I-84 in the towns of Ashford, Ellington, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Union, and Willington

Troop D

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols - Routes 6, 12,14, 44, 97, 169, 197, 198 and Interstate 395 in towns of Killingly , Brooklyn, Thompson, Woodstock, Chaplin, Hampton, Eastford, Sterling, Putnam and Pomfret

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 6, 12,14, 44, 97, 169, 197, 198 and Interstate 395 in towns of Killingly , Brooklyn, Thompson, Woodstock, Chaplin, Hampton, Eastford, Sterling, Putnam and Pomfret

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 6, 12,14, 44, 97, 169, 197, 198 and Interstate 395 in towns of Killingly , Brooklyn, Thompson, Woodstock, Chaplin, Hampton, Eastford, Sterling, Putnam and Pomfret

• 01/02/16 DUI Sobriety Checkpoint – Upper Maple Street in the area of North Street in Town of Killingly. Secondary location will be Route 6 in area of Tatnic Road in Town of Brooklyn

• 01/03/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 6, 12,14, 44, 97, 169, 197, 198 and Interstate 395 in towns of Killingly , Brooklyn, Thompson, Woodstock, Chaplin, Hampton, Eastford, Sterling, Putnam and Pomfret

Troop E

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols - Routes 2, 2A, 12, 164, and 165, 214, Interstates 95 and 395 in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Stonington, and Waterford

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 2, 2A, 12, 164, and 165, 214, Interstates 95 and 395 in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Stonington, and Waterford

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 2, 2A, 12, 164, and 165, 214, Interstates 95 and 395 in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Stonington, and Waterford

• 01/03/16 Roving Patrols - Routes 2, 2A, 12, 164, and 165, 214, Interstates 95 and 395 in East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, North Stonington, Norwich, Preston, Stonington, and Waterford

Troop K

• 12/31/15 Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham

• 01/01/16 Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham

• 01/02/16 Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham

• 01/03/16 Roving Patrols - Route 2, 6, 11, 32, 66, 82, 85, 87, 149, 203, 207, 316 and 354 in the towns of Andover, Bolton, Bozrah, Colchester, Columbia, East Haddam, Franklin, Hebron, Marlborough, Salem, and Windham

Safe Driving Tips From State Police

• Drive the speed limit.
• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you.
• Ensure that all passengers are wearing seatbelts.
• Signal when turning, changing lanes or taking an exit.
• Refrain from texting or using your phone.
• Never consume alcohol or prescription drugs before you get behind the wheel.
• Move over (when safe to do so) whenever law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances or tow trucks are occupying a lane. Please give them room to do their job efficiently and safely.
• Fill the gas tank prior to your journey.
• Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid and tire pressure.
• Fully charge your cell phone.
• Carry winter blankets, drinking water and snacks
• Check traffic conditions before leaving home
• Keep a shovel and sand or salt in the trunk of your vehicle.

“Your cooperation is critical to ensuring the well-being of all who are driving our roads throughout the holiday week,” said Dora B. Schriro, Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. “Whenever you get behind the wheel, the safety of the motoring public must be your top priority.”

(Photo by versageek, via flickr creative commons)