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STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
M. Jodi Rell Governor |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2010
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Contact: 860-524-7313
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Governor Rell Proposes Significant Enhancements
of State’s Law Banning Cell Phone Use by Drivers
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she is proposing significantly stricter enforcement of the state’s 2005 law barring the use of hand-held cell phone by drivers. Governor Rell will submit legislation expanding the law to cover texting and eliminating the one-time exemption that allows motorists ticketed for violating the law to escape a fine by proving that they have purchased a hands-free accessory.
“This law has been in place for nearly five years now, more than enough time for Connecticut motorists to be familiar with its requirements,” Governor Rell said. “Over and over again we see entirely preventable crashes caused by inattentive drivers, often because they are distracted by cell phones, text messages or other modern electronic distractions. The toll these taken by these collisions – they cannot truly be called ‘accidents’ – is far too high in both human and financial terms.
“Six states, including ours, plus the District of Columbia now prohibit motorists from using hand-held cell phones while driving – and 19 states prohibit text messaging while driving,” the Governor said. “Many more, like Connecticut, have restrictions on the use of hand-held devices by teen-aged drivers. These are common-sense precautions. The only thing that a driver should be focused on while behind the wheel is driving.”
Under current law, anyone who is ticketed for the first time for violating the hands-free law can have the $100 fine suspended by providing proof that they have purchased a hands-free accessory such as a Bluetooth device or other headset that allows calls to be made while both hands are kept on the steering wheel.
Governor Rell is proposing to eliminate that exemption, replacing it with a fine of $50 for violations that occur before October 1, 2011, and the full $100 for violations after October 1, 2011. In addition, her legislation adds texting to the cell phone law, an activity which is not currently covered by the prohibition.
The Governor’s proposal also strengthens the law by adding a $500 fine in cases where a violation of the cell phone ban results in an accident.
Governor Rell will present her budget recommendations and legislative proposals to the Legislature when it opens its session on Wednesday, February 3.
Content Last Modified on 2/1/2010 12:27:07 PM
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