Connecticut State Police announce weekend’s DUI checkpoints, patrols

Connecticut State Police issued the following tips to ensure safe driving this winter. Connecticut State Police issued the following tips to ensure safe driving this winter. Photo: Michael Cummo/Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Michael Cummo/Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Connecticut State Police announce weekend’s DUI checkpoints, patrols 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

As New Year’s Eve approaches, Connecticut State Police remind residents to drive safely, plan ahead and never get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.

“State troopers ask motorists to follow all driving laws, as their behavior on the roads is essential to keeping potential hazards at a distance,” a statement said.

State police will have DUI checkpoints and roving patrols that started Friday and are scheduled to run through New Year’s Day.

Troop A in Southbury will have additional troopers doing roving patrols and DUI enforcement throughout through Monday from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. each day.

North Canaan’s Troop B will have roving patrols on Route 8 from exit 43 to the Massachusetts state line, Route 77 and Route 7 in Canaan and Salisbury, Route 202 and Route 44 in Hartford, Route 4 and Route 63 in Goshen and Route 272 and Route 44 in Norfolk. The patrols were to begin Friday and run through New Year’s Day, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Also through Monday, from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., Troop C in Tolland will have roving patrols and DUI enforcement in Ashford, Ellington, Mansfield, Tolland, Union, Somers, Stafford and Willington. There will also be patrols on Interstate 84 from Manchester to the Massachusetts state line.

State police provide the locations of DUI checkpoints because of a 1990 Supreme Court ruling that contested the legality of checkpoints in Michigan. The court ruled checkpoints constitutional, but that there needed to be announcements on where they are planned.

Troop D in Danielson will have troopers conducting DUI enforcement and roving patrols through Monday. And in Montville, Troop E will have roving patrols from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Interstate 395 from exits 9 through 18, I-395 at the Gold Star Bridge and from exits 83 to 84, Route 164 in the Griswold and Preston areas and Route 2 in the North Stonington area.

Westbrook’s Troop F ws to have a DUI checkpoint on Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the area of 147 Meriden Road in Middlefield, and from Dec. 29 through Jan.

More Information State police pointers for safe driving • 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.

Troop G in Bridgeport planned DUI checkpoints on Saturday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The checkpoints are in the area of the Interstate 91 northbound and southbound exit 3 off-ramps in New Haven. Troopers are also conducting roving patrols on I-95 and Routes 7, 8, 15 and 25.

In Hartford, Troop H will have DUI enforcement and roving patrols from on I-84 and Interstate 91 in Hartford, East Hartford, West Hartford, Manchester and Windsor.

Bethany’s Troop I will have additional patrols over the weekend, too. Troopers will patrol Route 8 in Shelton, Ansonia and Derby, I-91 in the area of I-691 in Meriden, I-91 in the New Haven and North Haven areas and Route 15 in the area of Hamden and New Haven.

In Litchfield, Troop L will have additional troopers conducting roving patrols and DUI enforcement on Route 8 between exits 37 and exit 42, Route 6 and Route 64 in Woodbury, Route 202 and Route 254 in Litchfield, Route 7 and Route 341 in Kent, Route 63 and Route 109 in Morris, Route 45 and Rote 47 in Washington, Route 61 and Route 132 in Bethlehem, Route 4 in Burlington and Harwinton and Route 72 in Harwinton. These patrols will run from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1.