State troopers out in force for holiday

State police will take part in Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day weekend, beginning Friday through midnight Monday, Sept. 6.

Operation CARE is an intensified visibility, vigilance and enforcement by state troopers on interstate and secondary highways as well as on routes throughout towns that have Resident State Troopers programs.

The statewide enforcement concentration will focus on what State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance described as "hazardous moving violations." Those include, but are not limited to, drunken driving, speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes and the use of seatbelts.

Sobriety checkpoints will be established on different dates and locations thoughout the weekend, Vance said.

During Labor Day weekend last year troopers responded to 220 accidents, including 35 with injuries and one with a fatality. Nearly 70 drivers were charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; more than 350 people were cited for failing to wear a seat belt; and 1,635 drivers were ticketed for speeding.

In the local region, Troop K in Colchester will focus its efforts Friday and Saturday on routes 2 and 11 in Salem, and in East Haddam, Bozrah, Colchester (including routes 16 and 85), Franklin, Lebanon, Hebron and Marlborough.

Troop E in Montville will target routes 32, 2A, 163 and route 2 in Montville, Preston and Ledyard on Friday and Saturday.