Memorial Day Traffic Enforcement Nets 70 For DWI

State police issued thousands of traffic tickets over the long Memorial Day weekend and responded to hundreds of accidents that resulted in four fatalities on Connecticut highways.

State police stepped up their traffic enforcement efforts over the holiday and put additional troopers on duty, beginning at midnight on Friday. The enforcement operation ended as of midnight Monday.

By that time, state police said, troopers had responded to 260 motor vehicle accidents on state highways. Of those, 18 resulted in injuries.

In addition, four people died over the  holiday weekend in accidents, including one on Interstate 95 in Groton and another on Route 85 in Bolton.

State police also handed out 2,013 speeding tickets to motorists and 978 tickets for seatbelt infractions. Troopers also arrested 70 motorists for driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The weekend enforcement operation included sobriety checkpoints manned by state troopers who were targetting drunk drivers and those who drive aggressively.

State police are asking residents to assist them in spotting drunk drivers as the summer, with its emphasis on parties, continues and to call 911 if they see a suspected drunk driver.