During the busiest travel week of the year – Thanksgiving week – Connecticut State Troopers will ramp up their plans to keep highways safe for drivers and passengers during the holiday rush.
Throughout the long holiday weekend, Connecticut State Police will patrol roads and highways across Connecticut focusing on aggressive drivers, unsafe drivers and drivers operating under the influence.
These types of violations cause countless motor vehicle crashes in our state and Troopers are committed to preventative enforcement.
Troopers assigned to Bradley International Airport will help ensure safety as passengers enter and exit the terminal. Travelers should check beforehand with the airlines to see if flights are on time to avoid waiting at the terminal. The active pick up and drop off of passengers is permitted at curbside in front of the terminal. Please remember that leaving a vehicle unattended is prohibited and may result in a fine. Drivers may park in the free Cell Phone Parking Lot while waiting for passengers to arrive; the lot is located on Light Lane, minutes from the terminal: https://bradleyairport.com/directions-parking/cell-phone-lot/
On state highways, Troopers ask Connecticut residents to be part of the public safety solution by obeying traffic laws: don’t follow too closely to cars around your own vehicle, buckle up, drive the speed limit, and stay off your cell phone while driving. If you plan to consume alcohol or use marijuana, please do not drive; designate a driver or call for a rideshare, for everyone’s safety.
“During Thanksgiving week, it is especially important that drivers take the time to arrive at their destination safely. Check traffic and weather reports before you leave home and be prepared as highways will be crowded with other travelers,” noted Colonel Daniel Loughman, commanding officer of the State Police. “If you are on the roads, please follow all traffic laws and serve as an extra set of eyes for law enforcement: if you see an emergency on the road, please call 911.”
Patrol Troopers will use traditional and non-traditional patrol cars to observe traffic and issue tickets to reckless and distracted drivers. A reminder to all drivers: anyone who is consuming alcohol should never get behind the wheel.
If you see a suspected drunk driver or a suspected reckless driver, please call 911, as this is a true emergency.
Following are the 2023 Thanksgiving Weekend traffic stats:
These are reflective of the time period starting at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, 2023:
Calls for Service: 5,812
Motorist Assists: 292
Speeding Violations: 188
Seatbelt Violations: 126
Other Hazardous Violations: 492 (to include unsafe lane change, following too closely, cell phone usage, etc.)
DUI Arrests: 30
Accidents Investigated: 439
With Reported Injuries: 30
Serious Injuries: 0
Fatal: 1 – Hebron
Following are the 2022 Thanksgiving traffic stats:
Calls for service: 6,569
Motorist assists: 297
Speeding violations: 265
Motor vehicle accidents: 444
Fatalities: 4
DUI Arrests: 41
Infractions for other violations: (including seatbelt, unsafe lane change, following too closely, move over, distracted driving, etc): 913