Connecticut Department of Transportation making progress on installing wrong-way driver detection systems

NEWINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is making progress on its installation of wrong-way driver detection systems.

New Haven spending millions to cut down on speeding

The agency said that 68 systems have now been installed across the state. The goal is to have 120 systems in by January 2025.

Numbers obtained by News 8 show pedestrian and motorcycle fatalities are up. There have been 44 pedestrian fatalities in places like crosswalks or roads this year, according to the DOT. The five year average is 29.2, which means that this year the number is up by 50%.

For motorcycles, 40 people have died so far. The five year average is 38 which means fatalities on a motorcycle are up by about 5%.

Transportation experts said that pedestrians are not paying attention and are often distracted.  Trends show motorcycle drivers are sometimes on their phone while actually driving, and excessive speed is a factor as well.

Watch the full story above.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.