CT State Police release holiday DUI checkpoints, roving patrols

File photo of a DUI checkpoint by Milford police. File photo of a DUI checkpoint by Milford police. Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Photo: Hearst Connecticut Media File Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close CT State Police release holiday DUI checkpoints, roving patrols 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

With more than 115 million people hitting the roads across the nation during the upcoming holidays, Connecticut State Police want drivers in Connecticut to ditch the distractions and plan ahead to keep the roads safe for all across the state.

State police said they expect that most state residents will travel between Friday and Jan. 1 on trips to visit relatives and friends, or to hit the stores one last time before the holidays.

In preparation of this, troopers will be out in full force to ensure travel is safe for all with roving patrols and DUI checkpoints that will begin Friday and continue through early January.

Colonel Stavros Mellekas, commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, said in a prepared statement that troopers will focus on distracted drivers and those operating under the influence.

“Please be our partners in safety by following state laws on the road,” Mellekas said.

Some of those laws include driving the speed limit, keeping a safe distance between vehicles, ensuring all passengers are wearing seatbelts, signaling when turning or changing lanes, refraining from using a phone while driving and not consuming alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel.

Mellekas said drivers should also be aware of any possible weather they might experience if they’re planning to travel.

“Weather conditions can change at any time during the winter,” he said. “We ask you to please heed any weather precautions prior to leaving for your destination. The safety of yourself, your family and others on the road should remain your top priority.”

In case of quick-changing weather, state police urge drivers to make sure they fill their gas tank before their trip, check their windshield wipers and fluid, check their tire pressure, fully charge their cellphone, store winter blankets and water and snacks in the vehicle, keep a shovel and sand or salt in the truck of the vehicle and keep an eye on traffic and weather conditions ahead of the trip.

And, of course, motorists should always remember the Move Over Law, which states that drivers should immediately reduce their speed and move over one lane when it is safe to do so whenever law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances or tow trucks are occupying a lane or shoulder.

“Please give them room to do their job efficiently and safely,” state police urged.

Below are the DUI checkpoints and roving patrols planned throughout Connecticut during the holidays, which law enforcement must release in accordance with a 1990 Supreme Court ruling. The ruling states that DUI checkpoints are constitutional so long as they are announced by police.

TROOP A

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on Interstate 84 in greater Waterbury, Danbury and Southbury areas; on Route 8 in Waterbury; and on Route 7 in Brookfield and Danbury.

TROOP B

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on Route 44 and surrounding roads; and New Hartford to Route 8 in Winsted.

TROOP C

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on I-84 in Tolland and Union, and within the greater Troop C patrol area.

TROOP D

On Friday, Dec. 27 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. there will be a DUI checkpoint on Route 44/Route 21 in East Putnam.

TROOP E

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on Interstate 95 and Interstate 395, and within the greater Troop E patrol area.

TROOP F

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on Route 9 and I-95 in Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Essex, Chester, Deep River, Haddam and Killingworth.

TROOP G

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on I-95 in the Milford and New Haven areas, Bridgeport and Westport areas and Stamford and Norwalk areas; on Route 15 in the Norwalk and Stamford area; and Route 8/Route 25 in the Bridgeport area.

TROOP H

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on I-84, I-91, Route 2, Route 5 and Route 15.

TROOP I

On Monday, Dec. 30 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. there will be a DUI checkpoint on I-91 at the Exit 6 on ramp from Willow Street in New Haven.

TROOP K

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on Route 2.

TROOP L

From Friday, Dec. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 1 from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily there will be roving DUI patrols on Route 8 in the Watertown/Litchfield area, and on state highways in the Troop L patrol area.