Report: Higher speeds a major factor in accidents across state, police cracking down

BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Connecticut State Police Speed Safety program is continuing to target aggressive and dangerous drivers. 

The program, announced in February, was aimed at reducing the number of fatalities on state roads. News 8 Investigative Reporter, Jeff Derderian rode along with State Police and got an update on the program.

From February until now, News 8 has learned State Police have done nearly 43,000 traffic stops and just over 19,000 citations were issued. According to police, about 22,000 warnings were issued. 

The idea was to target trouble areas on the highways, city streets and rural roads.

According to data by the UConn Transportation Safety Research Center, there have been 172 traffic-related deaths this year. In 2023, there were 311; 366 in 2022 and 302 in 2021.

Their figures also show that the recorded speeds at point of impact for accidents is much higher than normal, suggesting speed is playing a big factor in accidents.

Connecticut State Police Lt. Alex Cintron says he routinely sees cars traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Cintron says it’s not just sports cars either. He said it’s more basic-type cars that still can reach dangerous speeds. In addition, distracted driving continues to be a major issue for State Police.

“When you take your eyes off the road or you take your hands off the wheel or if you distract yourself with whatever you’re doing, you lose valuable response time,” Cintron said.

A Department of Transportation grant added 50 new laser speed guns have been deployed across the state. The devices are capable of recording speed, taking pictures of a vehicle, and also record a short video. Cintron says officers are patrolling in marked and unmarked cars.