Connecticut State Police’s heightened traffic enforcement period wrapped up Sunday night after putting extra troopers and efforts on the state’s roads for the Independence Day weekend. Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) ended at midnight Sunday and despite the specialized enforcement patrol cars and aircraft, they couldn’t mitigate tragedy. There were three fatal accidents with four deaths: one in Trumbull, one in Wethersfield and one in North Stonington that killed a 19-year old from Rhode Island. Accidents Saturday night in Norwich and Friday night in Putnam also claimed the lives of motorcyclists Alan Begin of Taftville and Scott Stanley of Thompson, respectively. Lt. J. Paul Vance, spokesman for the state police, said there were no fatalities last year, and it was discouraging to see the higher number this year. “That’s a significant difference,” he said. “We did see a significant amount of traffic in-state and wet roads, so there were other contributing factors.” There were 228 accidents total as of press time Sunday night, and 42 of them involved injuries. State police also set up sobriety checkpoints throughout the state and nabbed 58 drivers for operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “We were at 76 last year, so that’s a promising sign,” Vance said. For the 416 people who didn’t click it, they received a ticket. More than 1,000 heavy-footed drivers were out during the weekend, as well. Poli ...
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