Updated Connecticut state regulations for distracted driving went into effect on Oct. 1, making clear that any use of an electronic device while driving is prohibited, with exceptions for emergencies.
The law, Public Act 26-63, says that drivers are prohibited from texting, scrolling, holding their phone up to their ear or watching videos while driving or stopped in traffic on state highways. They are prohibited from using any handheld device like a phone or any other “mobile electronic devices,” including laptops, paging devices, laptops or devices capable of playing video games, according to the law.
However, the law does allow drivers to listen to or dictate text messages, or use devices in hands-free mode, such as through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The law does prohibit hands-free devices and screens from playing a moving image or video with an exception for navigation systems like Google or Apple Maps.
The law says that drivers under the age of 18 cannot use devices while driving, even if they are in hands-free mode. Drivers under 18 should be without devices behind the wheel on most occasions.
The law has a few exceptions to its rules. Drivers are allowed to text or hold their phone up to their ear for a phone call in the case of an emergency, like speaking to an “emergency response operator,” a hospital or some doctors’ offices and clinics, an ambulance company or police or fire department, according to the law.
Violations of this law will be subject to a $200 for their first violation, $375 for their second violation and $625 for their third and any subsequent violations, the law says.
Any violators who commit a moving violation while also violating these new distracted driving laws will be subject to any penalties and fines associated with the moving violations on top of the distracted driving fines.
The state will also send 25% of the fines collected for each violation back to the municipality in which the violation was committed.
The rest of Public Act 26-63 also deals with other transportation issues. One such issue is commercial vehicles violating statewide travel bans during extreme weather. As of Oct. 1, commercial vehicles that violate the bans will be fined $250, a substantial increase from the previous $50 fine.
Fines for driving vehicles with loud and unnecessary noise will increase from $100 to $300. With limited exceptions, it also prohibits personal vehicles from being equipped with sirens, bells and whistles.
The law also requires that by Jan. 1, 2030, at least 30% of state buses be zero-emission vehicles, and construction plans of new state buildings that will have parking spaces and will cost more than $100,000 to complete will be required to provide at least 28% of the buildings’ parking spaces for electric vehicle charging ports.
This law is one of over 90 laws that went into effect Oct. 1. Others include laws covering artificial intelligence and out-of-state bottle returns, among others.