WINDSOR, Conn. — The state’s new wrong-way driver detection system was put to the test this weekend as a man tried to use an off-ramp in Windsor to get on Interstate 91. He was arrested, but it could have been a lot worse.
Connecticut State Police have been criticized in recent years for not being very visible on state highways. Part of the reason is because they are dealing with a recruitment crisis at just 931 troopers. Still, they are vowing to step up enforcement to make the roads a safer place.
“Wrong-way crashes have generally been rising since the pandemic,” Ronnell Higgins, the commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said.
RELATED: Connecticut State Police to expand patrols on the highways to help reduce traffic fatalities
“What we are seeing on our roadways is a public health crisis,” said CT DOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalido.
FOX61 obtained an incident report from over the weekend that showed 24-year-old Ian Britt of Massachusetts was arrested and charged with drunk and wrong-way driving after using the off-ramp to get on I-91 at Exit 38 in Windsor.
“This is the first time that the system has activated and resulted in an arrest. It stopped. 3 other wrong way drivers. This is the 4th time that this system has triggered an activation,” explained CT DOT Spokesperson Josh Morgan.
According to the police report, Britt noticed the flashing lights and "attempted to self-correct, causing his vehicle to become stuck in the process.”
The detection system not only instantly alerts the driver but also DOT and the state police. So far, 30 such detection systems have been installed in high risk areas.
“High risk meaning, first and foremost, that they are near places serving alcohol. So ramps that are within a mile of bars, restaurants, hotels. Also ramps where the off ramp and on ramp are directly next to each other,” explained Morgan.
It comes at a time when Connecticut’s roadways are more dangerous than ever.
“I’m struck by the fact that 2022 was probably the most dangerous year on the roads, ever in this state and beyond,” said Gov. Ned Lamont, which resulted in stepped up efforts along the Merritt Parkway, I-91 and Interstate 84.
By the numbers, Connecticut’s crash crisis becomes more clear. There have been 50 fatalities so far in 2024. Deaths peaked in 2022 with 366 including 13 wrong-way crashes resulting in 23 deaths.
In 2023, a high-profile wrong-way crash claimed the life of Connecticut State Rep. Quinton Williams, while just over a week ago, a wrong-way crash in West Haven killed four young adults and injured two others.
“We are doing all we can in the legislature to be responsive to analyze this data and to understand what is happening out there,” remarked State Sen. Christine Cohen of the general assembly’s Transportation Committee.
State lawmakers say this session they’ll be considering a proposal that would lower the legal limit of blood alcohol from .08 to .05. They also may revisit some of the marijuana laws since there is no test to determine if someone is driving high.
By the end of 2027, state officials say they’ll have 236 wrong way detection systems up and running across the state. It’s a timeline they would like to accelerate.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.