Connecticut

CT parents beware: Memorial Day to Labor Day the deadliest days for teen drivers

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2023

CT parents beware: Memorial Day to Labor Day the deadliest days for teen drivers

Teen drivers in Connecticut are at the start of what is reportedly the 100 deadliest days of the year on the road, with transportation officials anticipating this year to be the deadliest on record in the state.

The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are reportedly the most dangerous on the road for teens, with 7,300 teen drivers dying in that time frame between 2012 and 2021, data shows.

And fatal crash rates are on track to be higher than average this year, experts say.

“We are currently on pace to have the new deadliest year on our roadways,” said Joe Cristalli, program coordinator for the DOT’s Highway Safety Office at a press conference in Hartford last week.

Experts from DOT and AAA contribute the high rates of fatal crashes to inexperienced teen drivers hitting the roads more often while school is out for summer break, distracted driving, speeding and drug and alcohol use.

“Some of the greatest dangers for teen drivers include drugs, alcohol, seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding and the number of passengers in their cars. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are encouraged to familiarize themselves and their teens with Connecticut’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws to help keep them safe behind the wheel,” said Cristalli.

Here are 10 Hartford roads with the most crashes since 2020. With a map that shows worst spots.

The DOT urges teen drivers, and adult drivers alike, to drive sober, slow their speed, put down their devices and stay alert on the roads.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety completed a study that analyzed in-car camera footage from 2,229 teen driver crashes between 2007 and 2015 which found that 59% of crashes involved some type of distracting behavior in the six seconds leading up to the crash and 15% of crashes happened when drivers were talking to or interacting with a passenger.

The AAA Foundation’s 2021 Traffic Safety Culture Index also found that 39% of teen drivers between 16 and 18 who were surveyed admitted to driving 10 mph over the speed limit while driving on a residential street, while 28% of those surveyed admitted to texting while driving and 27% admitted to running red lights.

For drivers of all ages, 2022 was the deadliest year on Connecticut roads in over 30 years, with 386 people dying in motor vehicle crashes and collisions. As of late May, traffic fatalities across the state had surpassed numbers from this time last year, with more than 120 deaths including four fatal crashes over Memorial Day weekend, according to Department of Transportation officials.

As the number of crashes on Connecticut roads ramps up, fatal injuries for young drivers have been on the rise in recent years.

In 2022, 28.6% of all fatal crashes in Connecticut involved at least one driver who was between the ages of 15 and 25, up 5.1% — or 20 fatal crashes — from the year before, according to data analyzed by the Hartford Courant.

The University of Connecticut’s Crash Data Repository found that there were 3,216 crashes last year between Memorial Day and Labor Day involving teen drivers ages 15 to 19, leading to 16 deaths and 45 serious injuries.

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System reported that between 2012 and 2021, 56 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers — ages 15 to 18 — during those 100 days, representing 36% of all vehicle crash deaths during that decade, the study said.

In total, there were 102,549 motor vehicle crashes reported in Connecticut last year, including more than 29,000 — or 29% — involving young drivers, according to Courant data analysis. The total number of crashes has steadily increased year to year, up by nearly 20,000 total crashes since 2020.

AAA encourages parents to talk with teen drivers often about driving safely and to teach by example by avoiding distracted driving themselves.

“While they sometimes may not think so, parents remain the best line of defense to keep everyone safe behind the wheel,” said Tracy Noble, spokesperson for the AAA Club Alliance, in a recent statement. “It’s never too soon for parents to talk to their kids about the dangers of distracted driving, speeding and alcohol and marijuana impairment. But they also need to model good driving behavior themselves.”

Parents are also encouraged to create a parent-teen driving agreement that sets rules for teen driving. A template for such an agreement can be found on the AAA website. AAA also provides a free guide for helping parents coach teens on how to drive safely, including a driving log and behind-the-wheel lesson plans, which are also available online.

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Connecticut

CT Renaissance Faire still growing, still needs new home: What to know if you go.

Published

17 mins ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

CT Renaissance Faire still growing, still needs new home: What to know if you go.

The land search for the Connecticut Renaissance Faire is still ongoing, but the faire is going on.

The CT Renaissance Faire announced in the spring it was looking for a new venue to call home. It has been at the Lebanon Lions’ Fairgrounds since 2017. With attendance as high as 50,000 for it’s seven weekends, the Faire wants its own property to call home. The 65 or more acres of land the Faire is looking for would provide plenty of parking, space for permanent structures, and the possibility of off-season events.

The Faire has a property it has set its sights on but is still considering other properties. Months into the search, The Faire is still getting suggestions and towns interested in working with them.

“It’s finding the right land in those towns that can be difficult,” Tetreault said.

However, it will stay in eastern Connecticut because “it’s where we’ve been most of the time we’ve existed,” Tetreault said.

“We really like it here,” he said.

While the new home is supposed to be for the 2025 season, it may take longer to get going. There is no set time to make a final decision, and the Faire may need permits that take up to 18 months to finalize.

“We will see how that goes,” Tetreault said.

How’s this season going?

This season has been well attended. While Tetreault didn’t have exact numbers, most days have seen a 30% attendance increase compared to last year. The Faire offering affordable tickets and food contributes to this increase, he said.

“It’s exciting to see the younger people responding so well to the Faire,” Tetreault said.

The first weekend in October is Time Travelers Weekend, where science fiction will be included in the fun. Oct. 5 includes a cosplay costume contest, and an adults-only, costume required Halloween party after hours. Oct. 6 is specifically Doctor Who themed, with a Dr. Who cosplay contest and photo ops with The TARDIS, the vehicle the Doctors use to travel space and time.

The following weekend is All Hallows Eve Weekend. Oct. 12 will feature an evil laugh and scary scream contest, safe trick-or-treating, and the all-ages Halloween Knights after party. Oct. 13 will feature a costume contest for kids 15 and under, and Oct. 14 will feature a costume contest where everyone dresses as Mrs. Roper from the sitcom Three’s Company.

Oct. 19 and 20 is the Grand Finale Weekend and will feature talent shows both days. A variety of performers will be there or some or all of these weekends, per the Faire’s website.

If you go:

Tickets: General admission is $16, with discounts for children 15 and under. Dogs with proof of vaccination are admitted for $5. Buy your tickets online to save time.

When is the Faire open? The Faire is open weekends until Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. It will also be open on Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 14.

What is there to eat? From savory pies to sweet treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out the list of food and beverage vendors so you don’t miss anyone on your list.

What about entertainment? Here is the show schedule. In addition there are plenty of medieval activities to do and watch, from jousting, to knighting ceremonies, to sword swallowing (don’t try this at home, kids), to aerial acrobats (Oct. 5-20 only), and all are included with your admission.

What’s the address? 122 Mack Road, Lebanon

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Connecticut

Route 6 in Plymouth closed; drivers asked to avoid area

Published

8 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Route 6 in Plymouth closed; drivers asked to avoid area

Route 6 in Plymouth is closed after a crash.

Police said the road will be closed until further notice and all drivers should avoid Route 6 and seek another route.

Drivers of all tractor-trailers should avoid Route 6 through the town of Plymouth.

The state Department of Transportation said the crash involved three vehicles.

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Connecticut

Connecticut high school football team snaps 29-game losing streak

Published

16 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Connecticut high school football team snaps 29-game losing streak

Over three years and equaling to the equivalent of 1,098 days, nearly 157 weeks, 26,352 hours and 1,581,120 minutes.

That’s how long it’s been since Bassick High School (Connecticut) last won a football game. All that ended on Thursday night against rival Bridgeport Central.

Follow SBLive Connecticut throughout the 2024 high school football season for Live Updates, the most up to date Schedules & Scores and complete coverage from the preseason through the state championships!

The Lions were able to end a longstanding 29-game losing streak by defeating their rivals in a 42-8 romp. Coincidentally, Bassick’s last win came against Bridgeport Central back on September 24th, 2021 in a 24-18 victory.

Bassick started off the season with losses to Woodstock Academy and Wilbur Cross before notching the long awaited win at home. The Lions will look to make it two in a row next week at home against Hartford Public.

Be sure to Bookmark High School on SI for all of the latest high school football news.

SBLIVE SPORTS LAUNCHES HIGH SCHOOL ON SI

High School On SI will serve as the premier destination for high school sports fans, delivering unparalleled coverage of high school athletics nationwide through in-depth stories, recruiting coverage, rankings, highlights and much more. The launch of a dedicated high school experience expands Sports Illustrated’s reach to even more local communities as fans can now truly follow athletes from “preps to the pros” on a single platform, bringing them closer to the action than ever before. For more information, visit si.com/high-school.

To get live updates on your phone – as well as follow your favorite teams and top games – you can download the SBLive Sports app: Download iPhone App| Download Android App

— Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveconn

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