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Connecticut Launches Major Crackdown On Texting While Driving In April

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- If you use your cellphone while behind the wheel in Fairfield County -- look out. The Connecticut Department of Transportation is kicking off an enforcement effort for the entire month of April dubbed “U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY.”    

Put your cellphone down while driving -- or you could get a ticket for $150 or more.

Put your cellphone down while driving -- or you could get a ticket for $150 or more.

Photo Credit: File

State and local police officers will be out on overtime in the program, which is an effort to crack down on motorists who text, talk or distract themselves from the task of driving by using a hand-held mobile phone.

“Our legislators, law enforcement personnel, and agency heads have recognized the danger distracted drivers put our roadway users in – and we passed tough laws and developed strategies to impact those people who choose to ignore the law,” said state Transportation Commissioner James P Redeker.  

Under Connecticut’s cellphone and texting law, violations involve heavy fines, ranging from $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second violation, and $500 for each subsequent violation. These fines are even steeper when violations occur in a work zone, where penalties double.

During a similar campaign last September, over 7,000 motorists received citations for using their phones while driving. 

This mobilization is part of a larger campaign sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – which deems April as national distracted driving awareness month. The Highway Safety Office is using a specialized federal safety grant to provide funding for state and local police to participate in overtime enforcement of Connecticut’s distracted driving laws.  

Dedicated High Visibility Enforcement grants have been awarded to over 50 agencies to identify, stop and cite drivers who engage in hand-held mobile phone use during April.

Connecticut remains the only state in the nation to receive specific distracted driving prevention funds – the same funds that allow for special patrols to ticket drivers who choose to ignore distracted driving laws.  

Over $4.6 million have been awarded to the state over the last two years – specifically to fund campaigns like this one. Connecticut qualifies for this federal funding source through a mix of tough laws and a proven track record in strong enforcement of distracted driving laws.

In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated additional 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.  

For more information about national distracted driving issues, visit www.distraction.gov.  

 

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