The installations were part of legislation passed last year that mandated the Connecticut Department of Transportation put at least 120 of these systems into place by the end of the year.
At a news briefing Monday in Naugatuck, DOT commissioner Garrett T. Eucalitto said crews thus far have installed 123 of these systems, which use flashing red lights to alert drivers that they are going the wrong way and notify Connecticut State Police as well as the state Highway Operations Center. He said the DOT is on pace to complete 135 of these installations by the end of the year, far surpassing what was mandated.
“This technology is saving lives across the state,” Eucalitto said.
In Naugatuck, where there are more wrong-way drivers detected than anywhere else in the state aside from Danbury, more than 14 drivers going the wrong way have been detected on the new systems, according to Eucalitto. Each one of them turned around safely in a “self correction” move, he added.
The systems also capture video, which has shown that nearly 80% of drivers across Connecticut who saw the flashing red lights turned around before anyone was hurt, Eucalitto said.
“Hundreds of lives have been saved as a result of the wrong-way detection systems in just 2024,” said Paul Rizzo, bureau chief of highway operations at the DOT. “I wish we didn’t need this technology, but I’m glad we have it.”
Rizzo said transportation officials expect to install many more of these detection systems on highway ramps in 2025 as well as in the coming years.
“We saw the benefits of this just days ago,” said Ronnell Higgins, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
Higgins said a wrong-way detection system alerted state police troopers last Sunday to a motorist going up an Interstate 84 off-ramp in East Hartford. Troopers responded to the area and were able to safely bring the driver to a stop.
Prior to that, state police on Nov. 15 received a number of 911 calls about a wrong-way driver on Route 8 North in Litchfield before a trooper responding to the area came face-to-face with a set of headlights. The driver struck the side of the trooper’s cruiser before he was stopped.
“I am deeply, deeply appreciative of these Connecticut State Troopers who will do whatever it takes, including driving directly toward an oncoming vehicle to protect the motoring public,” Higgins said.
The announcement about the wrong-way detection goal being surpassed comes as state officials are gearing up for what is typically one of the busiest — and often most dangerous — weeks of the year on Connecticut roads and across the country.
“I really appreciate how fast the work got going with the DOT getting these wrong-way, flashing lights up,” Gov. Ned Lamont said.
In addition to the wrong-way detection systems, state officials said they have added additional trains to the Hartford Line and have paused all nonemergency road work until after the holiday. State police are also planning on stepping up traffic enforcement with patrol units that will be targeting motorists driving aggressively, unsafe and under the influence. Their enforcement efforts will involve both “traditional and non-traditional patrol cars.”
Enforcement alone cannot mitigate the issue, as state police have also called on drivers to be safe and follow all traffic laws, including not following other motorists too closely, using a seatbelt, going the speed limit and avoiding using a cell phone while behind the wheel.
“If you plan to consume alcohol or use marijuana, please do not drive; designate a driver or call for a rideshare, for everyone’s safety,” state police said in a statement ahead of the holiday.
“During Thanksgiving week, it is especially important that drivers take the time to arrive at their destination safely,” Col. Daniel Loughman, commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, said in a statement. “Check traffic and weather reports before you leave home and be prepared as highways will be crowded with other travelers. If you are on the roads, please follow all traffic laws and serve as an extra set of eyes for law enforcement: if you see an emergency on the road, please call 911.”
According to state police, troopers during the Thanksgiving holiday last year — between Wednesday and Sunday — responded to 5,812 calls for service. They issued 188 speeding tickets, 126 seatbelt violations and 492 violations for other hazardous offenses like unsafe lane changes, following too closely, cell phone usage and others.
State police last year also made 30 DUI arrests and investigated a total of 439 crashes, including 20 involving injuries and one fatality.
“I think it’s really important that as we rush through the holidays, and we’re all guilty of it — being a little late for appointments, feeling the rush of the chaos of the holidays — take a moment, slow down, give yourself enough time to get to where you’re going safely,” said state Sen. Tony Hwang, ranking senator on the state legislature’s Transportation Committee.
“Because what we’re talking about here is ensuring that these preventable tragedies never occur,” Hwang said. “So this is a reminder during the busiest travel week, nerves are a little frayed and people are a little anxious, just take a step back because ultimately, it is celebrating the holidays and you want to be with loved ones.”
“And all you need to know about these tragedies is the fact that people who have lost loved ones, those that have perpetrated the tragedy and those who have lived with it, they will live it for the rest of their lives,” Hwang said. “So please take a moment, slow down, recognize that we’re not telling you to not have a good time.”
According to TruckInfo.net, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that, between 2003 and 2022, Interstate 95 in New Haven County and Route 6 in Hartford County have had the most fatal crashes during Thanksgiving week, with four fatalities being reported on each highway during that timeframe. The data also showed that Interstate 395 in Windham County, Route 15 in New Haven County and Route 2 in Hartford County have each seen three fatalities during the holiday in that time period.
Nationally, TruckInfo.net found that 33% of fatal crashes during Thanksgiving week in 2022 were caused by drivers with a “positive” blood alcohol content. Another 30% were caused by speeding, followed by 6% being attributed to distracted driving, 2% involving a “drowsy” driver and 2% coming during a police pursuit, the data shows.
“Thanksgiving’s my favorite holiday,” Lamont said. “Family and friends, sometimes your kids are coming back from school. You sit around the table, eat, drink and be merry, but then don’t get behind the wheel of a car.”
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