State Police Launch 'Operation SANTA'

The Connecticut State Police today launched the 2011 Holiday enforcement program in an attempt to save lives and prevent injury as the Christmas/New Years holiday season approaches, according to state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance.

Operation S.A.N.T.A. — Stop Another Needless Tragic Accident — is the major holiday accident and injury prevention message from the Connecticut State Police. 

This combined accident reduction effort (C.A.R.E.) involves all state police departments across the U.S.

According to Vance, the focus of this enforcement will be on the drivers behavior that most frequently causes accident. Enforcment will also attempt to rid the roads and highways of drivers who will drive under the influence, speed and fail to wear seatbelts, he said.

Vance added that DUI enforcement will increase dramatically during this holiday season.

"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," Vance said. "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 toopers have scheduled DUI sobriety checkpoints and enhanced DUI enforcement operations on roads and highways all across the state. (A document posting all of the locations for the upcoming enforcement operations is included in the gallery that accompanies this article) 

“Our state troopers are trying to save lives and keep all of our roads and highways safe," Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Reuben Bradford said. “Remember mixing alcohol with driving a any vehicle is a dangerous combination for everyone, and illegal in our state”. 

Vance aded that no one looks forward to spending time in a jail cell, a hospital,  or something worse during the holidays. And so, Connecticut State Troopers will be out in force to try to keep drunk drivers off the roads, he said.

"Troopers are asking the public to join our 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," Vance said. "If you spot a suspected drunk driver, call 911 and report it to the police, this is a true emergency." 

In addition to driving under the influence, distracted driving, cell phone use and seat belt enforcement will also be an important part of this month's Operation SANTA.

Due to snow, 2010 Operation SANTA was cancelled, Vance said.