Distracted Driver Project Ends

By John Voket

The Newtown Police Department has completed an extended initiative to enforce and educate the community about distracted driving. Now the local police are turning their attention toward local purveyors and servers of alcohol.

Officers who worked on the traffic campaign focused much of the effort in and around the center of town where the concentration of activities, schools, and businesses bring a greater volume of pedestrians out, and where heavier traffic creates more situations where distracted drivers are subject to crashes.

During the 15-day period of the effort, which included the busy Thanksgiving weekend, local officers stopped more than ten vehicles per day for using handheld cell phones while operating. Between November 14 and 30, more than 145 motorists were stopped and issued tickets with an accompanying fine of $100.

Officers participated in teams and individually throughout the period of time, occasionally using unmarked vehicles and the department’s motorcycle unit when weather and conditions permitted. According to a release, Newtown police are planning a similar distracted driver initiative in the near future.

With that project completed, the local law enforcement agency in cooperation with the Newtown Prevention Council and Newtown Youth & Family Services, turns its attention to alcohol-related enforcement.

Besides the stepped up seasonal focus on impaired drivers behind the wheel, the police are working to be proactive by educating liquor store owners, staff, and liquor servers about their role in preventing alcohol-related tragedies year-round.

The department is hosting a TIPS training workshop December 12 at the Newtown Municipal Center, which is sponsored by the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of Connecticut.

The workshop, which commences at 8:45 am, helps to convey or enhance skills to prevent drunk driving, underage drinking, and alcohol abuse by teaching sellers and servers to recognize fake identification, and signs that a patron or purveyor may be too intoxicated to operate a vehicle.

Local stores, bars, and restaurants all received personal invitations to send staff to the workshop, according to police. TIPS is a national initiative, which stands for Training for Intervention Procedures.

The TIPS program will provide information on:

*Compliance with state and local regulations

*Protection from alcohol liability lawsuits

*Decreased penalties for alcohol violations

*Better bottom line through lower insurance premiums

*Improved customer service and satisfaction

*Increased staff professionalism.

Individuals who cannot make the workshop can learn more at www.gettips.com.