In an effort to create a safer Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Connecticut state police have launched Operation S.A.N.T.A., or Operation Stop Another Needless Tragic Accident.
Operation S.A.N.T.A. is part of C.A.R.E., the combined accident reduction effort, which is a nationwide enforcement effort focused on drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving and other reckless actions that cause accidents.
Throughout Connecticut, and with particular attention on Interstate 95, police will increase DUI enforcement, including holding DUI sobriety checkpoints. These checkpoints are meant to catch drunk drivers before they can cause serious Connecticut car accidents.
Holiday accident statistics
The holidays are a dangerous time on the roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 468 people were killed on New Year’s Day in 2009, which is second only to Memorial Day in the number of holiday road fatalities. Forty of those fatalities were caused by drunk driving. On Christmas, there were 262 traffic fatalities, 37 of which were caused by drunk driving.
Police officers around the country are asking everyone to drink responsibly and arrange a ride home if necessary. If you suspect that someone is driving drunk, call the police immediately. No one wants to end up in jail this Christmas or New Year’s. Even more importantly, no one wants to spend the holidays in the hospital or lose someone they love to a drunk driver.
Nothing can take away the pain suffered by victims of Connecticut holiday accidents, especially when those accidents are caused by reckless and dangerous behaviors such as drunk driving and texting while driving. We encourage everyone to drive safely this holiday season. And if you are injured in a holiday car accident, turn to an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering and more.
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Safety, “Operation Santa,” Press Release, Dec. 21, 2011.