On the 1st of July marijuana will become legal in the state of Connecticut for recreational use.  The state is not the first to legalize the drug and in fact it is one of nearly 40 states which have legalized the drug in some form or another.  With the legalization of marijuana comes some additional concerns for law enforcement officers around drugged driving.  One of the biggest causes of New Haven auto accidents is drugged driving and with this recreational drug now being legalized officers will begin to be on even higher alert. Some police departments across the state are already seeing upwards of 25% of all of their traffic stops involving drugged driving and that is before the law goes into affect.  While the new law does have provisions in it to help law enforcement with training on how to spot those who may be behind the wheel and under the influence of marijuana, many departments across the state are already on high alert for this risky behavior.  In order to identify those drivers who may be operating while under the influence officers are trained to look for a number of different signs including; Observations of how a person is driving Whether the driver admits to being under the influence Items within the vehicle that may give officers a reason to believe that the…continue reading

Shopping plazas are quickly returning to pre-pandemic congestion levels.  After over a year of mostly empty parking lots for your favorite stores, driving through these parking lots now feels like a game of cat and mouse to find the perfect parking spot. It’s not all fun and games though as parking lots can be dangerous places where you need to be on the look-out when leaving your car and walking to the store.  Drivers are more focused on finding a parking spot then they are on avoiding a New Haven pedestrian accident and it could mean a dangerous accident for you. Luckily as a pedestrian there are some things you can do. Always walk with your head up and eyes forward.  There is no place that is deadlier then a parking lot to be looking down at your phone. If there is a median or sidewalk to walk on, always use it. Don’t be afraid to use your voice.  Cars may need a heads up if they are headed toward you and you should feel comfortable shouting out. Look both ways before crossing lanes. Make sure you can be seen before emerging from between two cars. It is incumbent on drivers in a parking lot to do more then just look for a parking spot.  Safe driving should extend to a parking lot as well…continue reading