Connecticut State Police: Holiday Crashes and DUI Arrests Increase Over Last Year

 Posted on December 27, 2018 in Personal Injury

Christmas has officially come and gone once again. While some families will still be celebrating through the coming weekend, the Connecticut State Police has released data on the types of arrests, citations, and situations requiring police assistance over the holiday. According to the data, DUI arrests went up substantially over last year, and the number of traffic accidents also increased. Total calls for police service jumped by about one-third.

A Look at the Numbers

The State Police provided the information to news outlets this week and included data on calls between 12:01 a.m. on Friday, December 21 and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 26. During that period, state troopers arrested 55 individuals on suspicion of driving under the influence. This number is almost double the arrests that were made during last year’s holiday enforcement efforts. In 2017, State Police officers made 28 DUI arrests between December 22 and December 26.

This year’s numbers include an extra day, which could help explain the increase in traffic accidents. This year, troopers responded to 550 crashes, including 60 that involved at least one injury and three fatal accidents. Last year, 521 accidents were investigated, 58 of which involved injuries and one death. It is too soon to tell how many of the accidents this year were related to drunk driving.

Altogether, troopers responded to 8,435 service calls this year compared to 6,737 last year. It is important to recognize that these numbers only represent cases involving the Connecticut State Police. Arrests or investigations by local police departments are not included.

Don’t Become a Statistic This New Year’s

With Christmas celebrations winding down, many are turning their attention to New Year’s Eve parties. New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the entire year, and most such parties involve alcohol. If you are going to be celebrating, do so responsibly and have a safe way to get home. Designate a sober driver, call a cab, or get an Uber, but do not drive drunk—or even buzzed. The risks are too great.

If you plan to be out and about on New Year’s Eve—regardless of whether you are drinking—be extra cautious. Be aware of other drivers on the road, and look for warning signs of intoxication. Excessive swerving, inconsistent speed, and sloppy turns could be indicators of potential danger. If you suspect that a vehicle near you is being driven by a drunk driver, slow down and give the other the car extra room. Once it safe to do so, you may want to contact the local police to help keep other drivers safe as well.

Call a Connecticut Injury Lawyer for Help

Of course, you could do everything right and still end up being injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver. If this happens to you or someone you love, contact an experienced Connecticut personal injury attorney to discuss your options for seeking compensation. Call 860-290-8690 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Conn-troopers-arrest-54-DUI-drivers-during-13492485.php

https://drivingschool.net/new-years-driving-statistics-facts/