Meriden Police Gearing Up for Fourth of July Weekend Enforcement

If you drink and drive this holiday, city officers are warning that like the public service announcement says “you will get caught.”

The Meriden Police Department, in partnership with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Connecticut Department of Transportation, will have DUI checkpoints and a roving patrol around the community during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Sgt. Darrin McKay said the enforcement effort is designed to promote public safety and find those who are drinking and driving before a tragedy happens.

“The extra enforcement will be concentrating on removing intoxicated drivers and enforcing motor vehicle violations including

The checkpoints will begin on Wednesday, July 3, and continue through the weekend including on Sunday, July 7, when the city hosts the annual fireworks display at Hubbard Park. Roving patrols will also be assigned to the streets to enhance enforcement, police said.

Staff with AAA said the Fourth of July holiday represents one of the largest in terms of road traffic, with many people taking vacations or traveling to be with family and enjoy the summer weather.

"Independence Day has historically been the busiest holiday of the summer travel season and we expect that to be the case again this year," AAA spokesman Aaron Kupec said in a press release. "We expect to see the highest traffic volumes on Wednesday as people get away and next Sunday as they head home."

The forecast calls for nearly 2.06 million New England residents to travel at least 50 miles from home over the holiday weekend and although that figure is down nearly 200,000 people from previous years, it will still be a busy travel weekend.

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