HARTFORD, Conn. — Proposed legislation to increase safety measures at high risk on ramps in the state as deaths from wrong-way crashes increased. The bill would expand flashing wrong-way signs, rumble strips, and other technology to detect wrong-way drivers and notify police of high risk on ramps.
The bill passed the House unanimously with a vote of 151 to 0.
2022 was the state’s deadliest year in recent memory for wrong-way drivers according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation:
- In 2022, there were 13 wrong-way crashes and 23 fatalities
- In 2021 there were 4 crashes and 4 fatalities
- In 2020 there were 2 crashes and 4 fatalities
- In 2019 there were 6 crashes and 11 fatalities
- In 2018 there were 5 crashes and 6 fatalities
The Connecticut Department of Transportation has identified 120 on-ramps across the state considered “high risk” that are near areas where impaired drivers are more likely to drive the wrong way. 80% of Connecticut’s wrong-way crashes involve impaired drivers.
“We'll put the signs up. We'll put the rumble strips out there. We'll put pavement markers out there, but the most significant thing that would help cut down on the rate of these crashes is if people would drive sober,” said Josh Morgan, Spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The bipartisan support in the House of Representatives comes after Representative Quinton “Q” Williams died in a wrong-way crash in January after leaving Governor Ned Lamont’s Inaugural Ball. A recent police report states both Williams and the other driver were under the influence at the time of the crash.
“We want to avoid those situations, and unfortunately, that wasn't the case that night but I think going forward if DOT does this, and people are aware of it and they do get alerted when they're driving. This will never happen again,” said Representative Dave Yaccarino, a Republican from North Haven.
“We do have a drinking and driving issue here in the state of Connecticut, we've seen an increase in the number of fatalities, with people driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Senator Christine Cohen, who serves as the Chair for the Senate Transportation Committee.
The Bill will now head to the Senate where a date has not been set for a vote.
The Connecticut General Assembly is to adjourn on June 7.
Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jgarcia@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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