Transportation Committee
Planning and Development Committee
Judiciary Committee
Public Safety and Security Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF HAND-HELD MOBILE TELEPHONES AND MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES BY MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS
SUMMARY: This act:
1. specifies that it is illegal for a driver to type, send, or read text messages on a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device while operating a moving motor vehicle;
2. replaces, in most cases, the maximum $100 fine for using a hand-held cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving with fines of $100 for the first violation, $150 for a second violation, and $200 for subsequent violations, and explicitly imposes these fines on people who text while driving;
3. requires the state to remit 25% of the amount it receives from each summons to the municipality that issues the summons; and
4. eliminates the requirement that judges suspend the fine for a first-time offender who acquires a hands-free accessory before the fine is imposed.
It requires each Superior Court clerk, the chief court administrator, or any official the administrator designates, by the 30th day of January, April, July, and October, annually, to certify to the comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter to each municipality served by that clerk or official.
By law, school bus drivers and drivers under age 18 are prohibited from using either hand-held or hands-free cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The law, unchanged by the act, imposes a maximum fine of $100 on these drivers who violate the law.
As with the law against using hand-held cell phones while driving, the texting ban does not apply in emergency situations or to any of the following people while performing their official duties: peace officers, firefighters, ambulance and emergency vehicle drivers, or members of the military when operating a military vehicle.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2010
OLR Tracking: PF: KM: cr: ts