Constitution State News

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has initiated a new campaign aimed at enhancing road safety and curbing speed-related accidents on rural roads. This High-Risk Rural Roads Enforcement Campaign is a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies.

Set to run from March 1 to May 30, 2025, the campaign will focus on increasing police presence on rural roads, employing advanced speed-detection technology, and raising public awareness through a statewide media initiative. The campaign is supported by a $2 million fund from the Federal Highway Administration.

The announcement was made at the Montville Police Department with Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and various law enforcement officials in attendance. Lt. Governor Bysiewicz emphasized the importance of safe driving habits, stating, “Most of my days are spent on Connecticut’s roads, and as I travel throughout our beautiful state taking in our scenic routes, I am also shocked to see dangerous driving habits – especially along our rural roads.” She further added that the partnership between CTDOT and local law enforcement aims to ensure safer roadways across the state.

Deputy Commissioner Laoise King highlighted the potential dangers of rural roads when drivers engage in reckless behavior: “Rural roads are not just scenic—they can be deadly when drivers speed or drive recklessly.” King noted that previous campaigns have shown that targeted enforcement can significantly reduce crashes and save lives.

Chief Marc Balestracci from the Waterford Police Department reinforced the commitment of law enforcement officers to ensure road safety: “Speeding on rural roads not only endangers the driver but also pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists.”

Montville Police Chief Wilfred Blanchette III shared insights from past initiatives: “In Montville, we’ve seen firsthand how targeted enforcement on high-risk rural roads makes a real difference in preventing crashes and saving lives.” He cited statistics from 2024 where officers conducted numerous traffic stops leading to citations for speeding and reckless driving.

Colonel Daniel Loughman of the Connecticut State Police called for public cooperation in reporting reckless driving: “We count on the public to be our partners in safety by following the rules of the road and calling 911 when they witness reckless driving.”

The initial campaign launched by CTDOT in 2024 resulted in significant traffic stops and citations, demonstrating its effectiveness. Between 2019 and 2023, Connecticut averaged 44 fatalities annually on rural roads with speed being a factor in many cases. Preliminary data for 2024 reported over 94,000 crashes resulting in more than 300 fatalities statewide.

For more details about penalties for speeding or information about traffic safety programs, individuals can visit portal.ct.gov/highwaysafetyoffice/traffic-safety-programs/speeding.