Sean Hughes, Account Director, Connecticut Package Stores Association.
By Sean Hughes
Pedestrian deaths are increasing in the United States, hitting a historic high in 2022 with more than 7,500 deaths. Despite a slight decline in 2023, the rate of traffic fatalities is still up 14.1% from 2019, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. However, this decrease appears to be short-lived, at least in Connecticut.
A recent article in the Middletown Press reported that this time last year, Connecticut had 23 pedestrian deaths. As of July 1 of this year, there have already been 39 pedestrian fatalities in our state. This sharp increase paired with two high-profile tragedies that occurred in the spring and early summer of this year—where state workers were killed by impaired drivers—have raised major concerns for the safety of Connecticut travelers.
On May 30, Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was struck by a vehicle driven by an individual who was impaired. After witnessing the suspect’s difficulty walking and remaining conscious while being interviewed after his arrest, investigators determined that the driver has consumed illegal narcotics.
On June 26, less than a month after TFC Pelletier was killed in the line of duty, Department of Transportation worker Andrew DiDomenico was struck and killed working a morning detail. Following the tragic incident, it was found that the offending driver was under the influence of alcohol after failing a field sobriety test administered by state troopers.
This past legislative session, there was a renewed effort by lawmakers and state agencies to make our roads safer. While united in their resolve to decrease traffic incidents, some legislators and state leaders disagreed on how to reach their goals.
One proposal sought to lower the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to .05% from the current standard of .08%. Only Utah, known for its temperance related to prevalent Mormonism, has .05% as its standard BAC. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, as of 2023, Utah was the 10th lowest in the country for pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population. Connecticut was ranked 13th.
For the past two legislative sessions, this proposal has been brought before the Connecticut General Assembly’s Transportation Committee. Each year, the bill has not been brought up for a vote in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Lowering the BAC to .05% has support from both Republicans and Democrats on the Transportation Committee, as well as from the Department of Transportation and other traffic safety groups. Proponents have cited recent studies that show signs of impairment at .05%. However, there is some pushback to this change, as it would make Connecticut an outlier compared to surrounding states.
Additionally, many impaired drivers who are detained are often found to be well over the current limit of .08%. This raises the question of the effectiveness of a BAC limit change over different strategies, such as funding or policy changes to increase enforcement.
This debate is sure to continue in the 2025 legislative session in Connecticut, with several newly elected legislators to contribute to the discussion. In the meantime, residents of Connecticut need to remember that there is no excuse for drinking and driving, especially with a ride home being just a click or a call away on your phone. Stay safe this summer and remember to both drink and serve responsibly.
