(WTNH) — While you were out celebrating the New Year State Police were out as well. They had stepped up their patrols over the holiday to keep everyone safe on the roads. So far they have arrested fewer people and given out fewer tickets than they did last year. They are not done yet – they will keep up the extra roving and DUI patrols through midnight on Sunday.
Police have arrested 17 people for DUI so far; that’s less than half of the arrests made last year. They have given out more than 200 speeding tickets, roughly a third of the number given out at the start of 2015. Nine people have been ticketed for not wearing their seatbelts. Also, more than 600 people have gotten tickets for following too closely or using their cell phone while driving. More than 1,500 were ticketed for those types of violations last year.
Police have responded to 94 accidents so far; four people have been hurt. A man was killed in an accident Friday morning near exit 68 on the Wilbur Cross Parkway in Meriden.
Troopers will be out all weekend on highways and state roads. They will have DUI checkpoints to try to deter people from drinking and driving. Police are asking for you to help them keep the roads safe. If you see a suspected drunk driver or anyone driving dangerously, call 911.
