For Immdediate Release                                                                                                                      

January 4, 2010

Contact:  Pamela D. Hayes (860) 586-7506

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association [CPCA] represents every municipal police department in Connecticut. The over 7,000 police officers in CPCA agencies all contributed to traffic enforcement efforts over the Holiday Season, December 24 – January 3, intending to keep motorists safe and roadways clear.

Although being stopped by the police can be a somewhat traumatic experience, every officer is trying to reduce accidents, decrease speed and deter driving while drinking.

CPCA President Chief Douglas L. Dortenzio, Wallingford Police Department, stated, “across Connecticut municipal police and state troopers were hard at work over the Holiday Season to help travelers reach their destinations safely.  This is just some of the work they did.  Traffic safety is an issue of great importance to the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and its member police agencies.  Each year thousands of lives are lost on the nation’s highways.  The goal is encouraging all motorists to be especially diligent in exercising the safest driving practices possible.  A concerted effort by motorists and law enforcement agencies can significantly reduce the tragedies and horrific death and injury statistics that accompany them.  Please work with us in this very important effort.  Together we can strive for highways in our state that are free of accidents and fatalities.”

To this end, 73% of CPCA member police departments reported the following total activity:

Motor Vehicle Stops                        7,799

DUI Arrests                                       193

Accidents                                        2,765

Fatalities                                               4