Connecticut State Police have embarked on a concerted effort to curb highway fatalities through increased traffic enforcement, spanning major roadways like Route 15, I-84, I-91, and I-95, extending even to rural roads.
The initiative, already underway, leverages police data to strategically deploy additional patrols and enforcement saturation along highways witnessing a surge in crashes and fatalities, according to the Lamont administration.
Gov. Ned Lamont, alongside Interim Commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Ronnell A. Higgins, Interim Col. Daniel Loughman, commanding officer of the CSP, and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, made the announcement Thursday along I-91 in Rocky Hill.
Connecticut has witnessed an alarming uptick in driving and pedestrian fatalities, prompting concerns about unsafe and reckless driving behaviors on state highways. Recent statistics underscore the urgency of the issue, with three wrong-way crashes claiming seven lives.
“The Connecticut State Police and our law enforcement partners remain committed to protecting the safety of our roadways and preventing irresponsible drivers from endangering the lives of others,” Lamont said. “We are sending a clear message that reckless driving is dangerous and illegal, and we have zero tolerance for the poor decisions of those whose negligence puts others in harm’s way.
DESPP, overseeing the Connecticut State Police, is collaborating with other state agencies and municipal police departments to bolster enforcement and raise motorist awareness.
“We know where the greatest problem areas are. We know that increased enforcement works,” Higgins said. “Using data, improved technology, and targeted enforcement, we will work with our other partners in government to reduce highway fatalities.”
Eucalitto affirmed the DOT’s commitment to working closely with DESPP, the Connecticut State Police, and other stakeholders.
“Despite all of these efforts, it is the driver who can control their actions. Remember to slow down, pay attention, and drive sober,” he urged.
According to DOT figures, there were 302 deaths along state highways in 2021, rising to 366 in 2022, and slightly decreasing to 322 in 2023, with 49 fatalities reported in 2024 so far. While historical trends have shown a decline in traffic fatalities since 1980, recent data highlight a concerning surge.
“In addition to patrolling thousands of miles of roads in our state, the Connecticut State Police also regularly plan initiatives to combat distracted driving, aggressive driving, and operating under the influence,” Col. Loughman said. “Patrol troopers, in conjunction with our Traffic Services Unit and the DOT, work collaboratively to focus on deterring dangerous driving – including wrong-way drivers – on all Connecticut roads.”
