Connecticut Cracks Down on Speeding on Rural Roads
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation and law enforcement agencies launched a 91-day enforcement campaign running through May 30 funded by a $2 million federal grant to bust unsafe drivers traveling on rural roads.
“Most of my days are spent on Connecticut’s roads, and as I travel throughout our beautiful state taking in our scenic routes, I am also shocked to see dangerous driving habits — especially along our rural roads,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. “CTDOT and our local law enforcement agencies have been invaluable partners in our efforts to keep the state’s roadways safer, and this campaign shows their continued commitment. I hope the Connecticut motorists will take steps to drive safer — not just during this campaign, but throughout the year.”
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The state’s freight network consists of more critical rural freight corridors (139.5 miles) than critical urban freight corridors (62.75 miles), according to the “Connecticut Statewide Freight Plan Update” issued in 2022. The report noted that rural areas can have more dangerous driving behaviors — disproportionate to their smaller populations or vehicle miles traveled — compared with large cities due to motorists driving on rural roads at higher speeds before crashes.
Bysiewicz
“As law enforcement officers, one of our primary goals is to ensure the safety of all road users,” said Waterford Police Chief Marc Balestracci, who belongs to the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association Traffic Safety Committee. “Speeding on rural roads not only endangers the driver but also pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists. We are committed to enforcing speed limits and promoting safe driving behaviors to reduce preventable tragedies in our communities.”
Map showing critical freight routes in Connecticut. Roads in purple represent urban routes, and roads in green represent rural routes. (Connecticut Department of Transportation)
The High-Risk Rural Roads Enforcement Campaign, which began March 1, is funded by a $2 million High Risk Rural Roads grant from the Federal Highway Administration. CTDOT noted that traffic fines range from $200 to $500, and violators may receive a mandatory court date.
Reminding drivers to “slow down, pay attention and drive responsibly,” CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Laoise King declared, “Rural roads are not just scenic — they can be deadly when drivers speed or drive recklessly.”
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Each year from 2019 to 2023, the state experienced an average of 44 rural road fatalities (14% of all roadway deaths), and speed was a factor in 25% of the deadly accidents on rural roads. Also, preliminary data for 2024 indicate there were 94,766 crashes and 328 fatalities in the state.
A rural road in Litchfield County, Conn. (Alexander Farnsworth/Getty Images)
“These roads are crucial to our community, connecting residents, businesses and schools, but they can quickly become dangerous when drivers exceed the speed limit,” Montville Police Chief Wilfred Blanchette III said. “Thanks to the 2024 initiative, our officers [in Montville] made 887 traffic stops and issued over 110 citations for speeding, reckless and impaired driving.”
Last year, CTDOT launched its first High-Risk Rural Roads Enforcement Campaign, when officers made 7,600 traffic stops and issued 4,300 speeding citations.
The revenue from the fines provides funds for local and state police departments to purchase speed-detection technology, such as radar, lidar and speed indicator signs.
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