CT police crack down on texting and driving. Why you won't even see them watching you
Undercover and plan-clothes officers are watching for drivers not looking at the road. It's part of a statewide enforcement effort for distracted driving.
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If you’re texting and driving, you could be in for an unwelcome surprise this month – a ticket.
Police and state transportation leaders launched a statewide crackdown on distracted driving on Monday.
POLICE ON THE LOOKOUT
Just one text behind the wheel could land you a $200 ticket – and that’s for the first offense.
By the time you see a police cruiser, it’s already too late.
“One of those officers is usually dressed down or in an undercover vehicle, whose primary job is simply to spot those operators who are distracted to the point where they are not at all looking at the road,” said Watertown Police Chief Josh Bernegger. “And they radio that vehicle make, model and registration into the enforcement officers that are stationed down the road."
The push is part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Texting and driving contributed to 5,211 crashes last year, according to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository.
“While you’re investigating the accident, you find their cell phone wedged into the dashboard in the middle of a social media post,” said Newtown Police Chief David Kullgren.
The extra enforcement is funded by federal grants from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“EVERY DISTRACTION IS A BEAST”
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is also airing ads showing the dangers of distracted driving, depicting a smartphone with tentacles that strangles the driver.
“Every distraction is a beast,” an announcer says over footage of a swerving driver. “Don’t be the prey.”
STATE TROOPER SHORTAGE
But on the highways, Connecticut State Police are limited by a longtime staff shortage.
“We need to hire more law enforcement,” said State Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield). “When you think about our state troopers’ vast area of coverage, it's just a manpower equation.”
Typically, only nine troopers patrol Troop G, which covers some of the nation’s busiest highways across all of Fairfield County.
“We do need more people to work with us along the roadway,” said Trooper Jannina Bonilla. “But as of right now, we’re doing the best we can to cover as much as we can of the highway.”
State police are making progress recruiting new troopers, and traffic stops jumped more than 160% in 2024. Still, the year still ended with a near-record 322 highway deaths.
