Connecticut Troopers Issued 78,000 Speeding Tickets in 2008

Connecticut officials can thank some lawbreakers for helping a bit with the state’s budget deficit, which continues to be fueled by income and sales tax revenue declines.

State police say they issued nearly 78,000 speeding tickets last year, a 16 percent increase over 2007. The rise in tickets has put an additional $327,000 in the state’s dwindling coffers.

Lt. J. Paul Vance says troopers don’t enjoy issuing the expensive tickets, which carry $123 to $371 in fines. The penalties are even higher for truck drivers caught speeding, and for drivers speeding in school and construction zones.

But Vance says speeding tickets are an important tool to increase safety on the highways and reduce serious accidents. Troopers have stepped up enforcement on roads with more accidents.

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Information from: Republican-American