For Immdediate Release                                                                                                                      

2006 Memorial Day Statistics

May 30 , 2006

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 2006 Memorial Dayweekend 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 Louis Fusaro, Norwich Police Department, stated, “This past holiday weekend has proven to be one of the most deadly on Connecticut streets and highways in recent memory.  However, we'll never know how many other deaths, injuries, or crashes were prevented by the enormous effort in traffic safety expended by our police officers this holiday weekend."

Traffic safety is an issue of great importance to the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and its 102 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: