For Immdediate Release                                                                                                                      

May 29 , 2007

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

The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association [CPCA] represents every municipal police department in Connecticut. The over 7000 police officers in CPCA agencies all contributed to traffic enforcement efforts over the 2007 Memorial Day weekend 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.  In addition, officers were also concentrating on seatbelt enforcement.  CPCA is a proud sponsor of the "Click It or Ticket" program which emphasizes the importance of seatbelt use in reducing serious injury accidents.

CPCA President Chief Harry W. Rilling, Norwalk Police Department, stated “With the arrival of Spring and Summer, families around Connecticut will be taking advantage of holiday weekends and summer vacations. That means many more miles on the highways traveling to exciting destinations with precious cargo.

 The Connecticut Police Chiefs Association encourages all motorists to make it a safe, accident-free holiday. Each year in the United States, thousands of lives are lost on the nation's highways. Working together, we can significantly reduce those horrific numbers.

 Your law enforcement agencies around the state, our CPCA membership agencies, will be putting more officers on our streets to monitor traffic, keep our motoring public safe, and take enforcement when appropriate. Your responsibility is to drive safely, obey the speed limit, wear your seat belt and be courteous to your fellow motorists. You will arrive relaxed, safe and ready to enjoy time with your loved ones.

 Please work with us in this very important effort.  Together, let's strive for zero fatalities and zero accidents on our state highways."

Traffic safety is an issue of great importance to the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and its 103 member police agencies.  During holiday periods local police officers sacrifice time away from their families to insure the safety of the motoring public.  The goal is not to give tickets, but to gain motorist cooperation in obeying traffic laws and creating a climate of voluntary compliance.  We all have a role to play in traffic safety.”

To this end the CPCA reports the following total activity by member police departments:

Motor Vehicle Stops                    5839
DUI Arrests                                   119
Accidents                                      822
Fatalities                                           1