If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver in Connecticut, you may be aware of the damage one drunk driver can cause. A drunk driving accident is usually preventable, and now the West Hartford Police Department has received a grand for DUI enforcement that can help prevent accidents from taking place. The award, according to the news, was $81,900 and will allow police to increase patrols on weekend evenings when many accidents take place.
This news is great for anyone concerned with drunk driving. The Connecticut Department of Transportation provided the grant to help reduce accidents and to allow police to actively search for motorists who are driving while under the influence. According to the news, the new program will be in effect from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Police will also be allowed to use unmarked or marked police vehicles for their patrols.
According to police, there were 218 DWI arrests in West Hartford in 2013. Of those, 39 motor vehicle accidents involved a driver who had been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. Not surprisingly, 33 of those 39 accidents took place on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident or have been injured by a drunk driver, it’s wise to know your options. You may have a legal right to seek compensation. With some help, you may be able to receive money to pay for medical bills, car repairs, or other needs.
Source: West Hartford Patch, “West Hartford Police Department Receives Grant for DUI Enforcement” Ted Glanzer, Jan. 21, 2014