Police departments in Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth achieved their goal of zero roadway fatalities during a coordinated summer traffic safety initiative, officials announced Tuesday.
Operation Safe Summer 2025, which ran from July 4 through Sept. 1, resulted in 4,042 traffic stops and 61 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs across the three Aquidneck Island communities.
“The three police departments successfully kept Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth free of roadway fatalities throughout the summer, achieving the shared goal of zero deaths,” said Middletown Police Chief Jason M. Ryan.
The initiative was conducted in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Office of Highway Safety as part of a statewide effort to eliminate traffic deaths.
Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy and Portsmouth Police Chief Brian Peters joined Ryan in announcing the results of the highly visible enforcement campaign.
The operation focused on keeping local roadways safe through increased patrols and traffic enforcement during the busy summer tourism season when traffic volumes typically increase significantly on Aquidneck Island.
Rhode Island has been working toward a “Vision Zero” approach to traffic safety, which aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries while increasing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.
The summer enforcement period coincided with peak tourist season when the island’s population swells with visitors attending events like the Newport Folk Festival, Jazz Festival and numerous sailing regattas.
Traffic fatalities have been a persistent concern in Rhode Island, which has seen fluctuating numbers of roadway deaths in recent years. The state recorded 68 traffic fatalities in 2023, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
Operation Safe Summer represents part of ongoing efforts by local and state officials to reduce traffic casualties through enforcement, education and engineering improvements to roadway infrastructure.
