Connecticut Weeklong Highway Crackdown Nets Arrests, Tickets

It was called “Operation SANTA,” but state police weren’t giving out presents on Connecticut roadways during the holiday week.

A stepped up highway safety enforcement program that began Dec. 19 and ran through Friday has resulted in at least 15 arrests for drunken driving and hundreds of tickets for speeding and other violations.

The crackdown was called “Stop Another Needless Tragic Accident,” or SANTA for short.

According to figures provided by state police, 241 speeding tickets had been issued through Friday afternoon, along with nearly 700 other citations for failure to use seatbelts, distracted driving and other violations.

Police also reported 230 accidents, including one fatal pedestrian accident in Beacon Falls and more than 30 other crashes resulting in injuries.

Officials say the heightened enforcement will continue through the New Year’s holiday.