Connecticut State Police Announce Operation S.A.N.T.A.

The Connecticut State Police announced their 2011 Holiday enforcement program. Operation S.A.N.T.A. (S-top A-nother N-eedless T-ragic A-ccident) is the major holiday accident and injury prevention message from the Connecticut State Police.

“DUI enforcement will increase dramatically during this holiday season,” said the press release. “Traditionally at this time of year many holiday celebrations such as house and office parties take place. Many of these parties may include the consumption of alcohol. Some partygoers will not designate a non drinking driver and will neglect to remember that mixing alcohol with driving any motor vehicle is unwise, dangerous and illegal.  State Police Troopers have scheduled DUI sobriety checkpoints and enhanced DUI enforcement operations on the roads and highways all across Connecticut.“

Connecticut State Police are asking the public to join the effort:

• If you are planning to consume alcohol at a festive event, make plans in advance for a non drinking driver to bring you home.
• If you spot a suspected drunk driver, call 911 and report it to the police, this is a true emergency.    

Distracted driving, cell phone use and seat belt enforcement will be an important part of “OPERATION SANTA”. People talking on cell phones, not wearing seatbelts, exceeding the posted speed limit cause crashes.

The schedule:

12/22/11 Roving Patrols on Routes 1, 153, 156 in the Troop F patrol area

12/22/11 DUI sobriety checkpoint on Route 66, east of Higby Road in Middlefield in conjunction with the Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit

12/23/11 Roving Patrols on Routes 17 and 66 in the Troop F patrol area