Kennedy Combats Intoxicated and Impaired Driving

(ROCKY HILL) — On Thursday, State Representative Kathy Kennedy (R-119) joined Governor Lamont, Connecticut State Police, and appointed and elected officials at the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Rocky Hill campus to address the increased highway traffic accidents and fatalities following the pandemic. Kennedy, who is the Ranking Member on the Transportation Committee, was the only speaker to share her deep concern with the effects of marijuana use on driving as well as how important it is to support law enforcement.

“Some elected officials fail to recognize that we have a significantly less amount of officers patrolling our roads,” said Kennedy. “Additionally, we have current laws that prevent these officers from effectively doing their job and investigating real dangers, such as the effects of marijuana on our ability to drive.

Kennedy added, “That’s why I will support proposals that retain and recruit more officers, bring families and police into a conversation on safety with new drivers, and address the rise in marijuana use while driving — particularly, restoring the ability for an officer to use the odor of cannabis to conduct an investigatory stop.”

The press conference also highlighted the upcoming State Police enforcement campaign to combat increased vehicle accidents caused by impaired, intoxicated, and wrong-way driving.

Kennedy concluded, “To combat the wrong-way and impaired driving epidemic in Connecticut, our approach must be rooted in law enforcement, education, and behavioral change. It’s time we support our police who are working diligently to maintain safer roads every single day. I look forward to seeing new solutions arise this session and I will continue to keep you informed on our upcoming proposals on this issue.”