Chapter 248 - Vehicle Highway Use

Sec. 14-212. Definitions. Terms used in this chapter shall be construed as follows, unless another construction is clearly apparent from the language or context in which the term is used or unless the construction is inconsistent with the manifest intention of the General Assembly:

(1) The following terms shall be construed as they are defined in section 14-1: “Authorized emergency vehicle”, “class 1 electric bicycle”, “class 2 electric bicycle”, “class 3 electric bicycle”, “commissioner”, “driver”, “electric bicycle”, “electric foot scooter”, “fuels”, “gross weight”, “head lamp”, “high-mileage vehicle”, “highway”, “light weight”, “limited access highway”, “maintenance vehicle”, “motor bus”, “motorcycle”, “motor vehicle registration”, “nonresident”, “nonskid device”, “number plate”, “officer”, “operator”, “owner”, “passenger motor vehicle”, “passenger and commercial motor vehicle”, “person”, “pneumatic tires”, “pole trailer”, “registration”, “registration number”, “second offense”, “semitrailer”, “shoulder”, “solid tires”, “stop”, “subsequent offense”, “tail lamp”, “tractor”, “tractor-trailer unit”, “trailer”, “truck” and “vanpool vehicle”;

(2) “Carrier” means (A) any local or regional school district, any educational institution providing elementary or secondary education or any person, firm or corporation under contract to such district or institution engaged in the business of transporting students, or (B) any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of transporting primarily persons under the age of twenty-one years for compensation;

(3) “Curb” includes the boundary of the traveled portion of any highway, whether or not the boundary is marked by a curbstone;

(4) “Intersection” means the area embraced within the prolongation of the lateral curb lines of two or more highways which join one another at an angle, whether or not one of the highways crosses the other;

(5) “Motor vehicle” includes all vehicles used on the public highways;

(6) “Parking area” means lots, areas or other accommodations for the parking of motor vehicles off the street or highway and open to public use with or without charge;

(7) “Rotary” or “roundabout” means a physical barrier legally placed or constructed at an intersection to cause traffic to move in a circuitous course;

(8) “Student” means any person under the age of twenty-one years who is attending a preprimary, primary or secondary school program of education;

(9) “Student transportation vehicle” means any motor vehicle other than a registered school bus used by a carrier for the transportation of students to or from school, school programs or school-sponsored events; and

(10) “Vehicle” has the same meaning as “motor vehicle”.

(1949 Rev., S. 2488; February, 1965, P.A. 448, S. 16; P.A. 84-429, S. 38; P.A. 90-112, S. 3, 14; 90-263, S. 50, 74; P.A. 94-189, S. 31, 34; P.A. 05-210, S. 24; P.A. 08-150, S. 2; P.A. 10-110, S. 36; P.A. 18-165, S. 5; P.A. 19-162, S. 3.)

History: 1965 act deleted provisions excepting rail or track vehicles and including all motor vehicle statutory definitions by reference and added “motor vehicle”; P.A. 84-429 substantially revised section, dividing section into Subdivs., applying definitions in Sec. 14-1 to terms added in Subdiv. (1) and added definitions in Subdivs. (2), (3), (5) and (6); P.A. 90-112 added definitions of “carrier” in Subdiv. (2) and “student transportation vehicle” in Subdiv. (8), renumbering remaining Subdivs. accordingly; P.A. 90-263 amended Subdiv. (1) to delete from list of terms “commercial motor vehicle” and “public service motor vehicle”; P.A. 94-189 redefined “carrier”, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 05-210 amended Subdiv. (7) by changing “Rotary traffic island” to “Rotary” or “roundabout”, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 08-150 added new Subdiv. (8) defining “student” and renumbered existing Subdivs. (8) and (9) as Subdivs. (9) and (10); P.A. 10-110 redefined “carrier” in Subdiv. (2), redefined “student transportation vehicle” in Subdiv. (9) and made a technical change in Subdiv. (10), effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 18-165 amended Subdiv. (1) to add “class 1 electric bicycle”, “class 2 electric bicycle”, “class 3 electric bicycle” and “electric bicycle”; P.A. 19-162 amended Subdiv. (1) to add “electric foot scooter,”.

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Sec. 14-212c. Fines doubled for failure to yield right-of-way to person riding bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter. A surcharge shall be imposed equivalent to one hundred per cent of the fine established or imposed for a violation of subsection (e) of section 14-242, section 14-245, 14-246a, 14-247 or 14-247a for such violation when the driver of a vehicle fails to grant or yield the right-of-way to a person riding a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter.

(P.A. 98-165, S. 1; P.A. 18-165, S. 6; P.A. 19-162, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 18-165 added “or a person riding an electric bicycle”; P.A. 19-162 added “or an electric foot scooter” and made a conforming change.

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Sec. 14-222a. Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle. Any person who, in consequence of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, causes the death of another person shall be fined not more than three thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

(P.A. 81-26, S. 1; P.A. 07-167, S. 34; P.A. 19-53, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 07-167 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a), inserting Subsec. (b) exception clause therein, and added Subsec. (b) re negligent operation of commercial motor vehicle, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 19-53 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing maximum fine from $1,000 to $3,500 and increasing maximum term of imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years, and made conforming changes.

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Sec. 14-224. Evasion of responsibility in operation of motor vehicles. Racing. Required removal of motor vehicle from traveled portion of highway. Impoundment or fine. (a) Each operator of a motor vehicle who is knowingly involved in an accident which results in the death of any other person shall at once stop and render such assistance as may be needed and shall give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to any officer or witness to the death of any person, and if such operator of the motor vehicle causing the death of any person is unable to give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to any witness or officer, for any reason or cause, such operator shall immediately report such death of any person to a police officer, a constable, a state police officer or an inspector of motor vehicles or at the nearest police precinct or station, and shall state in such report the location and circumstances of the accident causing the death of any person and such operator's name, address, operator's license number and registration number.

(b) (1) Each operator of a motor vehicle who is knowingly involved in an accident which causes serious physical injury, as defined in section 53a-3, to any other person shall at once stop and render such assistance as may be needed and shall give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to the person injured or to any officer or witness to the serious physical injury to person. If such operator of the motor vehicle causing the serious physical injury of any person is unable to give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to the person injured or to any witness or officer, for any reason or cause, such operator shall immediately report such serious physical injury of any person to a police officer, a constable, a state police officer or an inspector of motor vehicles or at the nearest police precinct or station, and shall state in such report the location and circumstances of the accident causing the serious physical injury of any person and such operator's name, address, operator's license number and registration number.

(2) Each operator of a motor vehicle who is knowingly involved in an accident that causes physical injury, as defined in section 53a-3, to any other person shall at once stop and render such assistance as may be needed and shall give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to the person injured or to any officer or witness to the physical injury. If such operator of the motor vehicle causing the physical injury is unable to give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to the person injured or to any witness or officer, for any reason or cause, such operator shall immediately report such physical injury of any person to a police officer, a constable, a state police officer or an inspector of motor vehicles or at the nearest police precinct or station, and shall state in such report the location and circumstances of the accident causing the physical injury of any person and such operator's name, address, operator's license number and registration number.

(3) Each operator of a motor vehicle who is knowingly involved in an accident that causes injury or damage to property shall at once stop and render such assistance as may be needed and shall give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to the owner of the injured or damaged property, or to any officer or witness to the injury or damage to property, and if such operator of the motor vehicle causing the injury or damage to any property is unable to give such operator's name, address and operator's license number and registration number to the owner of the property injured or damaged, or to any witness or officer, for any reason or cause, such operator shall immediately report such injury or damage to property to a police officer, a constable, a state police officer or an inspector of motor vehicles or at the nearest police precinct or station, and shall state in such report the location and circumstances of the accident causing the injury or damage to property and such operator's name, address, operator's license number and registration number.

(c) (1) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon any public highway for a wager or for any race or for the purpose of making a speed record.

(2) No person shall (A) possess a motor vehicle under circumstances manifesting an intent that it be used in a race or event prohibited under subdivision (1) of this subsection, (B) act as a starter, timekeeper, judge or spectator at a race or event prohibited under subdivision (1) of this subsection, or (C) wager on the outcome of a race or event prohibited under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(d) Each person operating a motor vehicle who is knowingly involved in an accident on a limited access highway which causes damage to property only shall immediately move or cause his motor vehicle to be moved from the traveled portion of the highway to an untraveled area which is adjacent to the accident site if it is possible to move the motor vehicle without risk of further damage to property or injury to any person.

(e) No person who acts in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section may be considered to have violated subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section.

(f) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (a) or subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not more than twenty thousand dollars or be imprisoned not less than two years or more than twenty years or be both fined and imprisoned.

(g) (1) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not less than seventy-five dollars or more than six hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than five years or be both fined and imprisoned, and for any subsequent offense shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned not more than five years or be both fined and imprisoned.

(2) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section shall be fined not less than one hundred fifty dollars or more than six hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned, and for any subsequent offense shall be fined not less than three hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned.

(3) Any person who violates the provisions of subdivision (3) of subsection (b) or subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section shall be fined not less than seventy-five dollars or more than six hundred dollars or be imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned, and for any subsequent offense shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned not more than one year or be both fined and imprisoned.

(h) In addition to any penalty imposed pursuant to subsection (g) of this section: (1) If any person is convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and the motor vehicle being operated by such person at the time of the violation is registered to such person, the court may order such motor vehicle to be impounded for not more than thirty days and such person shall be responsible for any fees or costs resulting from such impoundment; or (2) if any person is convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and the motor vehicle being operated by such person at the time of the violation is not registered to such person, the court may fine such person not more than two thousand dollars, and for any subsequent offense may fine such person not more than three thousand dollars.

(1949 Rev., S. 2410; September, 1957, P.A. 11, S. 8; P.A. 81-268, S. 2; P.A. 82-472, S. 45, 183; P.A. 83-135; 83-534, S. 10; P.A. 94-188, S. 9; P.A. 97-291, S. 3, 5; P.A. 06-173, S. 2; P.A. 09-120, S. 1; P.A. 14-130, S. 25; P.A. 15-211, S. 28; P.A. 16-94, S. 1; P.A. 19-53, S. 3.)

History: P.A. 81-268 amended Subsec. (c) by increasing the minimum fine from $50 to $75 and the maximum fine from $100 to $200 for first offenses, and increasing the maximum fine for subsequent offenses from $200 to $600; P.A. 82-472 made a technical correction; P.A. 83-135 amended Subsec. (c) by increasing the maximum fine from $200 to $600 for a first offense and from $600 to $1,000 for a subsequent offense; P.A. 83-534 inserted new Subsecs. (a) and (d) re evading responsibility in an accident causing serious physical injury or death and the penalty therefor, redesignated the former Subsecs. and limited the former provisions re evading responsibility to accidents causing “physical injury as defined in section 53a-3” or injury or damage to property; P.A. 94-188 inserted new Subsecs. (d) and (e) re removal of vehicle from traveled portion of highway and redesignated the former Subsecs. (d) and (e) as (f) and (g); P.A. 97-291 amended Subsec. (f) to increase the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000 and the maximum term of imprisonment from 5 to 10 years; P.A. 06-173 amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provision as Subdiv. (1) and add Subdiv. (2) prohibiting a person possessing a motor vehicle under circumstances manifesting an intent that it be used in a race or event prohibited under Subdiv. (1), acting as a starter, timekeeper, judge or spectator at such a race or event or wagering on the outcome of such a race or event; P.A. 09-120 added Subsec. (h) re motor vehicle impoundment or fine for violation of Subsec. (c)(1), effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 14-130 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re serious physical injury, amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and amending same by replacing provisions re physical injury with provisions re serious physical injury and deleting provisions re injury or damage to property, adding Subdiv. (2) re accident that causes physical injury and adding Subdiv. (3) re accident that causes injury or damage to property, and made technical and conforming changes; P.A. 15-211 amended Subsec. (f) by increasing maximum fine from $10,000 to $20,000, minimum term of imprisonment from 1 year to 2 years and maximum term of imprisonment from 10 years to 20 years; P.A. 16-94 amended Subsec. (g) by designating existing provision re person who violates provisions of Subsec. (b)(2) or (3) or Subsec. (c) as Subdiv. (1) and amending same to delete references to Subsec. (b)(3) and Subsec. (c) and replace “one year” with “five years”, and by adding Subdiv. (2) re person who violates provisions of Subsec. (b)(3) or Subsec. (c), and made technical and conforming changes; P.A. 19-53 amended Subsec. (g) by adding new Subdiv. (2) re violation of Subsec. (c)(1), redesignating existing Subdiv. (2) as Subdiv. (3) and making a conforming change.

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Sec. 14-227k. Avoidance of, tampering with or failure to install ignition interlock device. (a) No person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has been restricted pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j, by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by any provision of law that requires the use of an ignition interlock device, shall (1) request or solicit another person to blow into an ignition interlock device or to start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing such person with an operable motor vehicle, or (2) operate any motor vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device or any motor vehicle that a court has ordered such person not to operate.

(b) No person shall tamper with, alter or bypass the operation of an ignition interlock device for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has been restricted pursuant to an order of the court under subsection (b) of section 14-227j, by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles or by any provision of law that requires the use of an ignition interlock device.

(c) Any person who completes the terms of a license suspension and is eligible for reinstatement of such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege, provided such person installs and uses a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, but who fails to install such ignition interlock device, is prohibited from operating any motor vehicle until such person installs an ignition interlock device and such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege is reinstated by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(d) (1) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor.

(2) Any person who violates any provision of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section or subsection (c) of this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth in subsection (c) of section 14-215.

(e) Each court shall report each conviction under subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this section to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-141. The commissioner shall suspend the motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of the person reported as convicted for a period of one year.

(P.A. 03-265, S. 3; P.A. 04-199, S. 33; P.A. 11-48, S. 55; 11-51, S. 220; P.A. 12-178, S. 4; P.A. 17-79, S. 13; P.A. 19-119, S. 8.)

History: P.A. 04-199 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to make provisions applicable to a person whose right to operate a motor vehicle has been restricted by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Sec. 14-227a(i) and amended Subsec. (b) to delete reference to an immobilization device; P.A. 11-48 amended Subsec. (c) to designate existing provision as Subdiv. (1) and amend same to make applicable to person who violates “subdivision (1) of subsection (a) or subsection (b) of this section”, rather than “subsection (a) or (b) of this section”, and to add Subdiv. (2) subjecting person who violates Subsec. (a)(2) to penalties of Sec. 14-215(c), effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 11-51 made identical changes as P.A. 11-48, effective January 1, 2012; P.A. 12-178 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to add reference to Sec. 14-111(i) re restriction on person's right to operate motor vehicle, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) by replacing references to Secs. 14-227a(i) and 14-111(i) with provisions re use of ignition interlock device, effective July 1, 2017; P.A. 19-119 added new Subsec. (c) re failure to install ignition interlock device, redesignated existing Subsecs. (c) and (d) as Subsecs. (d) and (e), and amended redesignated Subsecs. (d)(2) and (e) to add reference to new Subsec. (c).

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Sec. 14-230. Driving in right-hand lane. (a) Upon all highways, each vehicle, other than a vehicle described in subsection (c) of this section, shall be driven upon the right, except (1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, (2) when overtaking and passing pedestrians, parked or standing vehicles, animals, bicycles, electric bicycles, mopeds, scooters, electric foot scooters, vehicles moving at a slow speed, as defined in section 14-220, or obstructions on the right side of the highway, (3) when the right side of a highway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair, (4) on a highway divided into three or more marked lanes for traffic, or (5) on a highway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(c) Any vehicle which exceeds the maximum width limitations specified in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 14-262 and operates on an interstate highway with a special permit issued by the Commissioner of Transportation under the provisions of section 14-270, shall be driven in the extreme right lane of such highway, except (1) when such special permit authorizes operation in a traffic lane other than the extreme right lane, (2) when overtaking and passing parked vehicles, animals or obstructions on the right side of such highway, (3) when the right side of such highway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair, or (4) at such locations where access to or egress from such highway is provided on the left.

(d) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(1955, S. 1382d; 1957, P.A. 53; P.A. 75-577, S. 73, 126; P.A. 87-525, S. 2; P.A. 15-41, S. 6; P.A. 18-165, S. 7; P.A. 19-162, S. 5.)

History: P.A. 75-577 added statement that violation of provisions is an infraction; P.A. 87-525 divided the section into Subsecs., inserting as Subsec. (c) provision requiring wide vehicles to be driven in extreme right lane of interstate highways; P.A. 15-41 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by adding references to standing vehicles, bicycles, mopeds, scooters and vehicles moving at a slow speed, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 18-165 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by adding “electric bicycles,”; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by adding “electric foot scooters,”.

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Sec. 14-232. Passing. (a) Except as provided in sections 14-233 and 14-234, (1) the driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and (2) the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection, “safe distance” means not less than three feet when the driver of a vehicle overtakes and passes a person riding a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter.

(b) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the highway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.

(1955, S. 1384d; P.A. 75-577, S. 75, 126; P.A. 08-101, S. 13; P.A. 18-165, S. 8; P.A. 19-162, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 75-577 added statement that violation of provisions is an infraction; P.A. 08-101 divided provisions into Subsecs. (a), (b) and (c) and added definition of “safe distance” in Subsec. (a); P.A. 18-165 redefined “safe distance” to include reference to electric bicycle; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsec. (a) to redefine “safe distance” and make a technical change.

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Sec. 14-234. Determination of no-passing zones. Overtaking and passing in no-passing zones. (a) The Office of the State Traffic Administration may determine those portions of any state highway where overtaking and passing or driving to the left of the highway would be especially hazardous and may by appropriate signs or markings on the highway indicate the beginning and end of such zones. A local traffic authority, as defined in section 14-297, may, in accordance with standards approved by the Office of the State Traffic Administration, determine and designate such no-passing zones on highways under its jurisdiction. When such signs or markings are in place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person, each driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions thereof. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a violation of the provisions of this section shall be an infraction.

(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass, in a marked no-passing zone, pedestrians, parked or standing vehicles, animals, bicycles, electric bicycles, mopeds, scooters, electric foot scooters, vehicles moving at a slow speed, as defined in section 14-220, or obstructions on the right side of the highway, as listed in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-230, provided such overtaking and passing may be conducted safely, with adequate sight distance and without interfering with oncoming traffic or endangering traffic, as defined in section 14-297.

(1955, S. 1386d; February, 1965, P.A. 448, S. 21; P.A. 82-223, S. 16; P.A. 12-132, S. 17; P.A. 15-41, S. 1; P.A. 18-165, S. 9; P.A. 19-162, S. 7.)

History: 1965 act deleted reference to state aid highway and allowed local traffic authorities to determine and designate no-passing zones on highways under their jurisdiction; P.A. 82-223 specified that violation of the section constituted an infraction; P.A. 12-132 replaced references to State Traffic Commission with references to Office of State Traffic Administration and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2012 (Revisor's note: References to “Office of State Traffic Administration” were changed editorially by the Revisors to “Office of the State Traffic Administration” for accuracy); P.A. 15-41 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same to add exception re Subsec. (b), and added Subsec. (b) re overtaking and passing in a no-passing zone, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 18-165 amended Subsec. (b) to add “electric bicycles,”; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsec. (b) to add “electric foot scooters,”.

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Sec. 14-242. Turns restricted. Signals to be given before turning or stopping. U-turns. Left turns. Right turns when passing person riding bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter. (a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in a proper position on the highway as required by section 14-241, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a highway unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in section 14-244.

(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

(c) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in section 14-244 to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.

(d) No person shall turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to, or near the crest of, a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred feet, or at any location where signs prohibiting U-turns are posted by any traffic authority.

(e) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or within the area formed by the extension of the lateral lines of the private alley, road or driveway across the full width of the public highway with which it intersects, or so close to such intersection of public highways or to the area formed by the extension of the lateral lines of said private alley, road or driveway across the full width of the public highway as to constitute an immediate hazard.

(f) No person operating a vehicle who overtakes and passes a person riding a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter and proceeding in the same direction shall make a right turn at any intersection or into any private road or driveway unless the turn can be made with reasonable safety and will not impede the travel of the person riding the bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter.

(g) Violation of any of the provisions of this section shall be an infraction.

(1955, S. 1394d; 1963, P.A. 258; 1971, P.A. 66, S. 1; P.A. 75-577, S. 86, 126; P.A. 00-70; P.A. 18-165, S. 10; P.A. 19-162, S. 8.)

History: 1963 act removed qualification in Subsec. (a) that turn without signal should not be made “if any other traffic may be affected by such movement”; 1971 act added Subsec. (e); P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (f); P.A. 00-70 added new Subsec. (f) to prohibit a person making a right turn in front of a bicyclist unless the turn can be made with reasonable safety and will not impede the travel of the bicyclist and redesignated former Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (g); P.A. 18-165 amended Subsec. (f) to add references to electric bicycle; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsec. (f) to add references to electric foot scooter and make conforming changes.

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Sec. 14-253a. Special license plates and removable windshield placards for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities. Parking spaces. Penalty. Regulations. (a) For the purposes of this section:

(1) “Special license plate” means a license plate displaying the symbol of access in a size identical to that of the letters or numerals on the plate and in a color that contrasts with the background color of the plate;

(2) “Removable windshield placard” means a two-sided, hanger-style placard which bears on both of its sides: (A) The symbol of access in a height of three inches or more centered on such placard and colored white on a blue background; (B) a unique identification number; (C) a date of expiration; and (D) a statement indicating that the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles issued such placard;

(3) “Temporary removable windshield placard” means a placard that is the same as a removable windshield placard except that the symbol of access appears on a red background;

(4) “Person with disabilities” means a person with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2; and

(5) “Symbol of access” means the symbol designated by the Commissioner of Admistrative Services pursuant to section 29-269b used to indicate access for persons with disabilities.

(b) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall accept applications and renewal applications for removable windshield placards from (1) any person who is blind, as defined in section 1-1f; (2) any person with disabilities; (3) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is under eighteen years of age at the time of application; (4) any parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is unable to request or complete an application; and (5) any organization which meets criteria established by the commissioner and which certifies to the commissioner's satisfaction that the vehicle for which a placard is requested is primarily used to transport persons who are blind or persons with disabilities. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, on and after October 1, 2011, the commissioner shall not accept applications for special license plates, but shall accept renewal applications for such plates that were issued prior to October 1, 2011. No person shall be issued a placard in accordance with this section unless such person is the holder of a valid motor vehicle operator's license, or identification card issued in accordance with the provisions of section 1-1h. The commissioner is authorized to adopt regulations for the issuance of placards to persons who, by reason of hardship, do not hold or cannot obtain an operator's license or identification card. The commissioner shall maintain a record of each placard issued to any such person. Such applications and renewal applications shall be on a form prescribed by the commissioner. The application and renewal application shall include: (A) Certification by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 378, or a member of the driver training unit for persons with disabilities established pursuant to section 14-11b, that the applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2; or (B) certification by a psychiatrist who is employed by, or under contract with, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that the applicant (i) is a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, who has post-traumatic stress disorder certified as service-connected by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and (ii) meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Section 1235.2. In the case of persons who are blind, the application or renewal application shall include certification of legal blindness made by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, an ophthalmologist or an optometrist. Any person who makes a certification required by this subsection shall sign the application or renewal application under penalty of false statement pursuant to section 53a-157b. The commissioner, in said commissioner's discretion, may accept the discharge papers of a disabled veteran, as defined in section 14-254, in lieu of such certification. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require additional certification at the time of the original application or at any time thereafter. If a person who has been requested to submit additional certification fails to do so within thirty days of the request, or if such additional certification is deemed by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to be unfavorable to the applicant, the commissioner may refuse to issue or, if already issued, suspend or revoke such special license plate or placard. The commissioner shall not issue more than one placard per applicant, except the commissioner shall issue one placard to each applicant who is a parent or guardian of any person who is blind or any person with disabilities, if such person is under eighteen at the time of application, provided no more than two such placards shall be issued on behalf of such person. The fee for the issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard shall be five dollars. Any person whose application has been denied or whose special license plate or placard has been suspended or revoked shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(c) Any person who meets the requirements to obtain a removable windshield placard pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and who has a motorcycle registered in such person's name shall be issued, upon approval of the application, number plates in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 14-21b, which shall bear letters or numerals or any combination thereof followed by the symbol of access. The registration of any motorcycle for which a special license plate is issued shall expire and be renewed as provided in section 14-22 and be subject to the fee provisions of section 14-49. No person shall be issued such number plates for the registration of more than two motorcycles. Any person eligible to obtain a special license plate pursuant to this section who transfers the expired registration of a motorcycle owned by such person and replaces such number plate with a special license plate shall be exempt from payment of any fee for such transfer or replacement. A person who obtains a special plate or plates under this subsection may also obtain a removable windshield placard in accordance with subsection (b) of this section.

(d) Any placard issued pursuant to this section shall be displayed by hanging it from the front windshield rearview mirror of the vehicle when utilizing a parking space reserved for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities. If there is no rearview mirror in such vehicle, the placard shall be displayed in clear view on the dashboard of such vehicle.

(e) Vehicles displaying a special license plate or a placard issued pursuant to this section or by authorities of other states or countries for the purpose of identifying vehicles permitted to utilize parking spaces reserved for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities, shall be allowed to park in an area where parking is legally permissible, for an unlimited period of time without penalty, notwithstanding the period of time indicated as lawful by any (1) parking meter, or (2) sign erected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of chapter 249, provided the operator of or a passenger in such motor vehicle is a person who is blind or a person with disabilities. A placard shall not be displayed on any motor vehicle when such vehicle is not being operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who is blind or a person with disabilities to whom the placard was issued. Vehicles bearing a special license plate shall not utilize parking spaces reserved for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities or the cross hatch abutting such spaces when such vehicles are not being operated by or carrying as a passenger a person who is blind or a person with disabilities to whom such special license plate was issued.

(f) Only motor vehicles displaying a plate or placard issued pursuant to this section shall be authorized to (1) park in public or private areas reserved for exclusive use by persons who are blind or persons with disabilities, and (2) to use the cross hatch abutting such areas, except that any ambulance, as defined in section 19a-175, which is transporting a patient may park in such area for a period not to exceed fifteen minutes while assisting such patient. Any motor vehicle parked or using the cross hatch in violation of the provisions of this subsection for the third or subsequent time shall be subject to being towed from such designated area. Such vehicle shall be impounded until payment of any fines incurred is received. No person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of leasing or renting motor vehicles without drivers in this state may be held liable for any acts of the lessee constituting a violation of the provisions of this subsection. Any municipal police officer who observes a motor vehicle parked in violation of this subsection shall issue a written warning or a summons for such violation.

(g) The Office of the State Traffic Administration, on any state highway, or local traffic authority, on any highway or street under its control, shall establish parking spaces in parking areas for twenty or more cars in which parking shall be prohibited to all motor vehicles except vehicles displaying a special license plate or a placard issued pursuant to this section. Parking spaces in which parking shall be prohibited to all motor vehicles except vehicles displaying such special plate or placard shall be established in private parking areas for two hundred or more cars according to the following schedule:

Total Number Of Parking Lot Spaces	Number of Special Parking Spaces Required
0 – 200	Exempt
201 – 1000	1.0%
1001 – 2000	10 plus 0.8% of spaces
	over 1000
2001 – 3000	18 plus 0.6% of spaces
	over 2000
3001 – 4000	24 plus 0.4% of spaces
	over 3000
4001 or more	28 plus 0.2% of spaces
	over 4000

All such spaces shall be designated as reserved for exclusive use by persons who are blind and persons with disabilities and identified by the use of signs in accordance with subsection (h) of this section. Such parking spaces shall be adjacent to curb cuts or other unobstructed methods permitting sidewalk access to a person who is blind or a person with disabilities and shall be fifteen feet wide, including three feet of cross hatch, or be parallel to a sidewalk. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply (1) in the event the State Building Code imposes more stringent requirements as to the size of the private parking area in which special parking spaces are required or as to the number of special parking spaces required, or (2) in the event a municipal ordinance imposes more stringent requirements as to the size of existing private parking areas in which special parking spaces are required or as to the number of special parking spaces required.

(h) Parking spaces designated for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities on or after October 1, 1979, and prior to October 1, 2004, shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway and shall be fifteen feet wide including three feet of cross hatch, or parallel to a sidewalk on a public highway. On and after October 1, 2017, parking spaces for passenger motor vehicles designated for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway and shall be fifteen feet wide including five feet of cross hatch or parallel to a sidewalk on a public highway. On and after October 1, 2017, parking spaces for passenger vans designated for persons who are blind and persons with disabilities shall be as near as possible to a building entrance or walkway and shall be sixteen feet wide including eight feet of cross hatch or parallel to a sidewalk on a public highway. Such spaces shall be designated by above grade signs with white lettering against a blue background and shall bear the words “handicapped parking permit required” and “violators will be fined”. Such signs shall also bear the international symbol of access. Whenever such a sign is replaced, repaired or erected it shall bear the words “reserved parking permit required” and “violators will be fined”, bear the symbol of access and indicate the minimum fine for a violation of subsection (f) of this section. Such indicator may be in the form of a notice affixed to such a sign.

(i) Any public parking garage or terminal, as defined in the State Building Code, constructed under a building permit application filed on or after October 1, 1985, and prior to October 1, 2004, shall have nine feet six inches' vertical clearance at a primary entrance and along the route to at least two parking spaces which conform with the requirements of subsection (h) of this section and which have nine feet six inches' vertical clearance unless an exemption has been granted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 29-269. Each public parking garage or terminal, as defined in the State Building Code, constructed under a building permit application filed on or after October 1, 2004, shall have eight feet two inches' vertical clearance at a primary entrance and along the route to at least two parking spaces for passenger vans which conform with the requirements of subsection (h) of this section and which have eight feet two inches' vertical clearance unless an exemption has been granted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of section 29-269.

(j) The commissioner may suspend or revoke any plate or placard issued pursuant to this section when, after affording the person to whom such plate or placard was issued an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with chapter 54, the commissioner or his representative determines that such person has used or permitted the use of such plate or placard in a manner which violates the provisions of this section.

(k) Nothing in this section may be construed to allow a person who is blind or a person with disabilities who is a bona fide resident of the state to park in a public or private area reserved for the exclusive use of persons who are blind and persons with disabilities as provided in this section if such person does not display upon or within his vehicle a plate or placard issued pursuant to this section.

(l) (1) Any person who violates any provision of this section for which a penalty or fine is not otherwise provided shall, for a first violation, be subject to a fine of two hundred fifty dollars, and for a subsequent violation, be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars.

(2) No owner or lessee of a private parking area subject to the requirements of this section, or an agent of such owner or lessee, shall dump, or allow any other person to dump, or otherwise place accumulated snow in a special parking space reserved as required in this section. Any owner, lessee or agent who violates the provisions of this subdivision shall, for a first violation, be subject to a fine of two hundred fifty dollars, and for a subsequent violation, be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars.

(m) Any placard or special license plate issued pursuant to this section shall be returned to the commissioner upon the subsequent change of residence to another state or death of the person to whom such placard or license plate was issued. Any person who uses a placard or a special license plate issued pursuant to this section after the death of the person to whom such placard or special license plate was issued shall be fined five hundred dollars.

(n) The commissioner shall develop a procedure for the renewal of existing placards. The procedure may be implemented over a period of several years. Any renewal of such placards shall require the issuance of a new placard in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(o) The commissioner shall periodically check the Department of Public Health's state registration of deaths and shall cancel any placard issued to an individual identified in such registry as deceased.

(p) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this chapter and to establish a uniform system for the issuance, renewal and regulation of special license plates, removable windshield placards and temporary removable windshield placards. Such plates and placards shall be used only by persons to whom such plates and placards are issued.

(P.A. 76-427, S. 1-3; P.A. 77-366, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-144; P.A. 80-367, S. 1-3; 80-466, S. 23, 25; P.A. 81-172, S. 14; P.A. 82-420, S. 1, 4; P.A. 83-412, S. 2, 5; P.A. 84-377, S. 1, 4; 84-546, S. 44, 173; P.A. 85-206; P.A. 86-103; 86-388, S. 27, 31; P.A. 87-304, S. 3; P.A. 88-32, S. 1, 2; P.A. 89-74, S. 2; P.A. 90-300, S. 1, 2, 8; P.A. 94-189, S. 16; P.A. 95-325, S. 12, 16; P.A. 99-268, S. 24, 25, 34, 44; P.A. 00-169, S. 18, 19, 22, 34, 36; P.A. 02-70, S. 55; P.A. 04-199, S. 19; 04-237, S. 1; P.A. 06-130, S. 14; P.A. 07-52, S. 1; P.A. 08-184, S. 14; P.A. 09-11, S. 1; 09-187, S. 37; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7, S. 105; P.A. 10-110, S. 24; P.A. 11-44, S. 45; 11-213, S. 39; P.A. 12-132, S. 22; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 64; P.A. 13-282, S. 3; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 224; P.A. 16-78, S. 3-5; P.A. 17-79, S. 23; 17-230, S. 4; P.A. 19-119, S. 11, 12; 19-157, S. 37; 19-161, S. 37.)

History: P.A. 77-366 included reference to vehicles with special license plates in Subsec. (c) and clarified parking permission for vehicles with special plates in Subsec. (e); P.A. 79-144 greatly expanded provisions, revising Subsec. (a), inserting new Subsec. (b), revising former Subsec. (b) and redesignating it as (c), inserting new Subsec. (d), revising former Subsec. (c) and redesignating it as (e), deleting former Subsecs. (d) and (e), inserting new Subsecs. (f) to (i), replacing former provision for $99 maximum fine with statement that violation is an infraction in former Subsec. (f) and redesignating it as Subsec. (j); P.A. 80-367 amended Subsec. (c) to delete reference to plates in provision re display and to add provision prohibiting use of plate for special parking privileges when car not conveying handicapped person and amended Subsec. (e) to add provisions re parking spaces in parking areas for two hundred or more cars; P.A. 80-466 replaced references to set of plates in Subsec. (b) with reference to single plate; P.A. 81-172 amended Subsec. (a) by providing for a five-year, rather than one-year validity period for a special parking identification card; P.A. 82-420 allowed nonprofit organizations that transport handicapped persons to obtain special parking identification cards; P.A. 83-412 deleted all references to nonprofit organizations which transport handicapped persons, thereby eliminating their parking privileges, provided for the phase-out of the special “HP” license plate and its replacement by a special international symbol of access license plate and provided that the provisions of Subsec. (e) are not applicable where an ordinance or state building code specifies more stringent requirements re size of parking area or number of special parking spaces; P.A. 84-377 amended Subsec. (a) to provide for a fee of $2 for the original issuance and renewal of special parking identification cards, a period of validity of two, rather than five, years for such cards and different colors for renewal cards, specific information in the physician's certification of impairment of ability to walk, authorization for commissioner to require additional certification, submission of notarized statement or personal appearance by applicant to request identification and issuance of temporary special parking identification cards, amended Subsec. (b) to provide that special license plates may bear letters or any combination of numerals or letters and that identification issued be returned upon death or change in legal residence to another state, amended Subsec. (d) to provide for towing of vehicles parked in violation of Subsec. (d) for third or subsequent time and impounding of such vehicles, amended Subsec. (f) to require a warning and the international symbol of access in above grade signs, and amended Subsec. (g) to insert new language re required vertical clearance for parking garages or terminals constructed on and after October 1, 1985, relettering remaining Subsecs. accordingly; P.A. 84-546 made technical change in Subsec. (j); P.A. 85-206 amended Subsec. (g), requiring that parking spaces in garages or terminals conform with the requirements of Subsec. (f); P.A. 86-103 permitted the issuance of special parking identification cards to blind persons and permitted the issuance of special license plates to handicapped persons who own motorcycles; P.A. 86-388 amended Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive, substituting “number” plate for license plate and including reference to issuance of a set of plates in accordance with provisions of Sec. 14-21b(a); P.A. 87-304 amended Subsec. (b) to increase fee for issuance of special number plate from $5 to $10 and exempt any handicapped person who transfers an unexpired registration and replaces number plate with special plate from payment of fees for transfer or replacement; P.A. 88-32 amended Subsec. (a) to require M.D. certification of blindness or “permanent” impairment of ability to walk only at time of original application and amended Subsec. (k) to require that the fine for violation of Subsec. (d) be a minimum of $85; P.A. 89-74 amended Subsec. (a) to permit optometrists to certify blindness at the time of original application and to delete requirement that permanent impairment of walking ability be certified at time original application is made; P.A. 90-300 amended Subsec. (e) to add two subdivision designations in the last sentence re exceptions and to insert new language as Subdiv. (2) “in the event a municipal ordinance imposes more stringent requirements as to the size of existing private parking areas ...” and amended Subsec. (g) to insert “public” before “parking garage or terminal” and “as defined in the state building code” thereafter, to require that vertical clearance be provided at a primary entrance and to add language concerning an exemption granted pursuant to Sec. 29-269(b); P.A. 94-189 substantially revised provisions of section deleting former Subsecs. (a), (b), (c) and (j) re special parking identification cards and license plates with new provisions, relettering former Subsecs. (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (k) accordingly and making technical changes; P.A. 95-325 amended Subsec. (f) to specify when ambulances transporting patients may park in reserved area, effective July 13, 1995; P.A. 99-268 amended Subsec. (b) by allowing the commissioner to accept discharge papers of a disabled veteran for establishing that such veteran meets the definition of a person with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk, amended Subsec. (e) to revise provisions re parking without penalty in legally permissible parking areas for unlimited periods of time, notwithstanding periods indicated by parking meters or signs, and amended Subsec. (h) by increasing designated parking space size from 15 feet wide, including 3 feet of cross hatch, to 16 feet wide, including 7 feet of cross hatch, and by requiring parking space signs to indicate the minimum fine for a violation of Subsec. (f); P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (a)(2) by removing provision stating a placard is valid for a period of five years from the date of issuance, Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to the $5 fee re applications and renewal applications for special license plates and removable windshield placards, and by adding a provision requiring a $5 fee for temporary removable windshield placard, effective October 1, 2000, and Subsec. (h) by changing parking space size requirements from “sixteen feet wide including seven feet of cross hatch” to “fifteen feet wide including three feet of cross hatch”, effective June 1, 2000, and revised effective date of P.A. 99-268 but without affecting this section; P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 04-199 amended Subsec. (b) to permit advanced practice registered nurse to certify disabilities which limit or impair ability to walk re applications for special license plates and removable windshield placards and to certify that such disabilities meet definition under federal law, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-237 amended Subsec. (h) to insert “and prior to October 1, 2004,” and to add requirements re parking spaces for passenger motor vehicles and passenger vans designated for the handicapped, and amended Subsec. (i) to make a technical change, to provide that requirement re 9 feet 6 inches' vertical clearance for public parking garages or terminals apply to those constructed under a building permit application filed on or after October 1, 1985, and prior to October 1, 2004, and to add 8 feet 2 inches vertical clearance requirements for public parking garages or terminals constructed under a building permit application filed on or after October 1, 2004; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (b) to provide that commissioner is not required to issue more than one placard per applicant, amended Subsec. (d) by removing requirement that commissioner issue an additional placard to an applicant who has no special license plates and made a technical change in Subsec. (l), effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 07-52 amended Subsec. (l) by replacing infraction and minimum fine provisions with a fine of $150 for a first violation and a fine of $250 for a subsequent violation; P.A. 08-184 amended Subsec. (b) by adding “physician's assistant” to health care providers who may issue certification of disability; P.A. 09-11 made a technical change in Subsec. (b); P.A. 09-187 added Subsec. (a)(4) to define “persons with disabilities”, amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re applications from parent or guardian if person is unable to request or complete application, establish requirements for issuance of placards on and after January 1, 2010, add requirement re record, replace former certification language with provision re certification of legal blindness from board, and limit issuance to 1 placard per applicant, amended Subsec. (c) to limit issuance of plates to 2 vehicles per person, added new Subsecs. (m) to (o) re issuance, renewal and cancellation of placards, redesignated existing Subsec. (m) as Subsec. (p), changed “removable windshield placard” to “placard”, “blind persons” to “persons who are blind” and “handicapped person” to “person with disabilities” throughout, and made conforming and technical changes, effective July 8, 2009; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-7 amended Subsec. (b) by authorizing certification of disability from a physician's assistant or advanced practice registered nurse, effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 10-110 amended Subsec. (a)(4) to revise reference to 23 CFR by replacing “Part” with “Section” and amended Subsec. (b) to restate application and renewal application process for persons with disabilities and persons with blindness and to provide that any person who makes a required certification shall sign application under penalty of false statement, effective June 5, 2010; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Board of Education and Services for the Blind” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and replacing “commissioner” with “Commissioner of Motor Vehicles”, effective July 1, 2011 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (b), a reference to “handicapped driver training unit” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “driver training unit for persons with disabilities” to conform with changes made by P.A. 11-44, S. 46); P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (b) to authorize renewal of special plates issued prior to October 1, 2011, prohibit issuance of new special plates for motor vehicles on and after October 1, 2011, and make conforming changes, and amended Subsec. (c) to replace “motor vehicle” with “motorcycle”, authorize issuance and renewal of windshield placards and special plates for motorcycles, and make conforming and technical changes; P.A. 12-132 amended Subsec. (g) by replacing “State Traffic Commission” with “Office of the State Traffic Administration”, effective July 1, 2012; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-282 amended Subsec. (f) to add provision re municipal police officer who observes violation to issue written warning or summons; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (l) by designating existing provisions as Subdiv. (1) and adding Subdiv. (2) re dumping snow in a special parking space; P.A. 16-78 amended Subsec. (a) by adding Subdiv. (5) defining “symbol of access”, amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) by replacing “international symbol of access” and “international access symbol” with “symbol of access” and amended Subsec. (h) by adding provisions re requirements for parking space sign replaced, repaired or erected on and after January 1, 2017, effective January 1, 2017; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting former Subpara. (A) re certification that applicant is disabled, redesignating existing Subpara. (B) re certification that applicant meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs ability to walk as Subpara. (A), and adding new Subpara. (B) re veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and who meets definition of person with a disability, effective June 27, 2017; P.A. 17-230 amended Subsec. (h) by replacing “2004” with “2017”, adding “or parallel to a sidewalk on a public highway”, deleting reference to January 1, 2017, and making technical changes; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (e) to add “or the cross hatch abutting such spaces”, amended Subsec. (f) to designate existing provision re parking in reserved public or private areas as Subdiv. (1), add Subdiv. (2) re use of cross hatch and make technical and conforming changes, amended Subsec. (l)(1) and (2) to increase fine for first violation from $150 to $250 and increase fine for subsequent violation from $250 to $500; P.A. 19-157 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”; P.A. 19-161 amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re issuance of placard to applicant who is parent or guardian of person who is blind or person with disabilities and such person is under 18 years of age.

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Sec. 14-270. Permits for nonconforming vehicles. Regulations. Penalties. (a) The Commissioner of Transportation or other authority having charge of the repair or maintenance of any highway or bridge is authorized to grant permits for transporting vehicles or combinations of vehicles or vehicles and load, or other objects not conforming to the provisions of sections 14-98, 14-262, 14-262a, 14-264, 14-267a and 14-269 but, in the case of motor vehicles, only the Commissioner of Transportation shall be authorized to issue such permits. Such permits shall be written, and may limit the highways or bridges which may be used, the time of such use and the maximum rate of speed at which such vehicles or objects may be operated, and may contain any other condition considered necessary by the authority granting the same, provided the Department of Transportation shall not suffer any loss of revenue granted or to be granted from any agency or department of the federal government for the federal interstate highway system or any other highway system.

(b) Any permit issued in respect to any vehicle, self-propelled vehicle, or combination of vehicles or vehicle and trailer on account of its excessive weight shall be limited to the gross weight shown or to be shown on the commercial registration certificate or any commercial registration certificate issued on an apportionment basis. A permit granted under this section for a vehicle or load, greater than twelve feet, but no greater than thirteen feet six inches in width and traveling on undivided highways, shall require a single escort motor vehicle to precede such vehicle or load. No escort motor vehicle shall be required to follow such vehicle or load on such highways.

(c) Any permit issued under this section or a legible copy or facsimile shall be retained in the possession of the operator of the vehicle, self-propelled vehicle or combination of vehicles or vehicle and trailer for which such permit was issued, except that an electronic confirmation of the existence of such permit or the use of the special number plates described in section 14-24 and any regulations adopted thereunder shall be sufficient to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(d) (1) The owner or lessee of any vehicle may pay either a fee of thirty dollars for each permit issued for such vehicle under this section or a fee as described in subdivision (3) of this subsection for such vehicle, payable to the Department of Transportation. (2) An additional transmittal fee of five dollars shall be charged for each permit issued under this section and transmitted via electronic means. (3) The commissioner may issue an annual permit for any vehicle transporting (A) a divisible load, (B) an overweight or oversized-overweight indivisible load, or (C) an oversize indivisible load. The owner or lessee shall pay an annual fee of nine dollars per thousand pounds or fraction thereof for each such vehicle. A permit may be issued in any increment up to one year, provided the owner or lessee shall pay a fee of one hundred dollars for such vehicle or vehicle and trailer for each month or fraction thereof. (4) The annual permit fee for any vehicle transporting an oversize indivisible load shall not be less than six hundred fifty dollars. (5) The commissioner may issue permits for divisible loads in the aggregate not exceeding fifty-three feet in length.

(e) (1) The Commissioner of Transportation shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, prescribing standards for issuance of permits for vehicles with divisible or indivisible loads not conforming to the provisions of section 14-267a.

(2) In adopting regulations pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall allow for the issuing of a wrecker towing or transporting emergency permit, provided such movement of a wrecked or disabled vehicle by a wrecker with a permit issued pursuant to this subdivision shall be in accordance with any limitations as to highway or bridge use and maximum rate of speed as specified by the commissioner.

(f) The provisions of subsection (d) of this section shall not apply to the federal government, the state, municipalities or fire departments.

(g) Any person who violates the provisions of any permit issued under this section or fails to obtain such a permit, when operating any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles described in section 14-163c, shall be subject to the following penalties:

(1) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the weight specified in such permit shall be subject to a penalty calculated by subtracting the permitted weight from the actual vehicle weight and the rate of the fine shall be fifteen dollars per one hundred pounds or fraction thereof of such excess weight;

(2) A person who fails to obtain a permit issued under section 14-262 or 14-264 and who is operating a vehicle at a weight that exceeds the statutory limit for weight shall be subject to a penalty calculated by subtracting the statutory limit for weight from the actual vehicle weight and the rate of the fine shall be fifteen dollars per one hundred pounds or fraction thereof of such excess weight;

(3) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the length specified in such permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of three hundred dollars;

(4) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the width specified in such permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of three hundred dollars;

(5) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section that exceeds the height specified in such permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of one thousand dollars;

(6) A person operating a vehicle with a permit issued under this section on routes not specified in such permit, shall be fined (A) one thousand five hundred dollars for each violation of the statutory limit for length, width, height or weight, and (B) shall be subject to a penalty calculated by subtracting the statutory weight limit of subsection (b) of section 14-267a from the actual vehicle weight and such weight difference shall be fined at the rate provided for in subparagraph (G) of subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of section 14-267a; or

(7) A person (A) operating a vehicle with an indivisible load and violating one or more of the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection shall be required to obtain a permit, or (B) operating a vehicle with a divisible load and violating one or more of the provisions of subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection shall be required to be off loaded to the permit limit.

(h) (1) If the origin, destination, load description, tractor registration, trailer registration, hours of travel, number of escorts, signs or flags of a vehicle with a permit issued under this section differ from those stated on such permit or required by regulations adopted pursuant to this section, a minimum fine of two hundred dollars shall be assessed for each such violation.

(2) If the days of travel of a vehicle with a permit issued under this section differ from those stated on such permit or the vehicle is operated under a false or fraudulent permit, a minimum fine of one thousand five hundred dollars shall be assessed for such violation in addition to any other penalties assessed.

(i) A person operating a vehicle under a forged permit shall be subject to a minimum fine of ten thousand dollars, in addition to any other penalties which may be assessed, and such vehicle shall be impounded until payment of such fine or fines, or until order of the Superior Court. As used in this subsection, “forged permit” means a permit for a nonconforming vehicle that is subject to the provisions of this section, that has been falsely made, completed or altered, and “falsely made”, “falsely completed” and “falsely altered” have the same meanings as provided in section 53a-137.

(1949 Rev., S. 2497; 1951, 1955, S. 1378d; 1957, P.A. 514; 1959, P.A. 467; 1961, P.A. 361; 1963, P.A. 420; 1969, P.A. 354, S. 5; 768, S. 150; P.A. 79-188, S. 8, 10; P.A. 80-71, S. 27, 30; Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-1, S. 3, 4; P.A. 84-516, S. 5, 7; P.A. 92-177, S. 11, 12; P.A. 94-188, S. 12; P.A. 98-196, S. 1; P.A. 99-181, S. 19, 20, 40; P.A. 00-169, S. 12; P.A. 04-143, S. 9; P.A. 05-210, S. 32; P.A. 08-101, S. 7; P.A. 09-186, S. 54; 09-187, S. 22; P.A. 11-256, S. 13; P.A. 12-81, S. 51; 12-132, S. 51; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 178; P.A. 19-161, S. 2.)

History: Public acts of 1959, 1961 and 1963 each extended effective period of permits in effect April 30, 1947; 1969 acts added Subsecs. (b) to (d), deleted provisions re extensions of permits, made provisions applicable to “combinations of vehicles or vehicles and load”, deleted requirement for written application, added reference to Secs. 14-98, 14-262, 14-264 and 14-265 and replaced highway commissioner and department with commissioner and department of transportation; P.A. 79-188 replaced reference to repealed Sec. 14-268 with reference to Sec. 14-267a; P.A. 80-71 inserted new Subsec. (d) re fees and relettered former Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (e); Oct. Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-1 inserted new Subsec. (e) requiring transportation commissioner to adopt regulations re standards for issuance of permits for vehicles with loads not conforming to provisions of Sec. 14-267a, relettering former Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (f); P.A. 84-516 applied penalties in Sec. 14-267a to permit violations, in Subsec. (f), where previously violators were “deemed to have no permit”; P.A. 92-177 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to Sec. 14-269 and to delete reference to Sec. 14-265, amended Subsec. (c) to add phrase “and any regulations adopted thereunder” after Sec. 14-24, amended Subsec. (d)(1) to increase permit fee from $15 to $23 and to substitute a fee as described in Subdiv. (3) for an annual fee in amount equal to 30% of registration fee for such vehicle, amended Subsec. (d)(2) to eliminate requirement that owner of out-of-state vehicle pay $15 fee per permit and to increase additional fee from $2 to $3, designating it as an additional transmittal fee, amended Subsec. (d) to add new Subdiv. (3), authorizing commissioner to issue annual permits for vehicles transporting various loads and requiring owner or lessee to pay annual fee for each such vehicle, and to add Subdiv. (4), requiring that annual permit fee for vehicle transporting oversize indivisible load be a minimum of $500 and amended Subsec. (e) to delete obsolete phrase; P.A. 94-188 inserted a new Subsec. (f) re inapplicability of Subsec. (d) to federal government, the state, municipalities or fire departments, and relettered the remaining Subsec.; P.A. 98-196 amended Subsec. (g) by replacing penalties under Sec. 14-267a(f) with Subdivs. (1) to (4), inclusive; P.A. 99-181 amended Subsec. (g) by making provisions applicable to a person who fails to obtain a permit, by adding new Subpara. (2) re penalty for exceeding the statutory limit for weight, by adding new Subpara. (4) re penalty for exceeding width specified in permit, by adding new Subpara. (7) re requirements for permit on off loading, by changing the formula for the penalty for a person operating a vehicle on a route not specified in the vehicle's permit in Subpara. (6) (formerly (4)) and by renumbering existing Subparas. and making other technical changes and added Subsec. (h), effective June 23, 1999; P.A. 00-169 amended Subsec. (c) to allow a permit issued to be retained in the form of a “legible copy or facsimile” in the possession of the vehicle operator; P.A. 04-143 added Subsec. (d)(5) permitting commissioner to issue permits for divisible loads in the aggregate not exceeding 53 feet in length; P.A. 05-210 amended Subsec. (b) by adding provision re permit granted for vehicle or load greater than 12 feet but no greater than 13 feet 6 inches in width shall require a leading escort vehicle on undivided highways, but need not have a following escort vehicle, and made a technical change in Subsec. (d)(1) (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (b), a reference to “greater that” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “greater than”, for accuracy); P.A. 08-101 amended Subsec. (c) to replace “telegraphic confirmation” with “electronic confirmation”, effective July 1, 2008; P.A. 09-186 amended Subsec. (a) to include reference to Sec. 14-262a, effective July 20, 2009; P.A. 09-187 amended Subsec. (g) to replace reference to a commercial motor vehicle with reference to any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles, effective July 1, 2009; P.A. 11-256 added Subsec. (i) re operation of vehicle under forged permit, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 12-81 amended Subsec. (e) to designate existing provision as Subdiv. (1) and add Subdiv. (2) re issuance of wrecker towing or transporting emergency permit and annual fee therefor, effective June 6, 2012; P.A. 12-132 amended Subsec. (e)(2) by deleting provision re annual fee for wrecker towing or transporting emergency permit, effective June 15, 2012; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (b) by adding reference to self-propelled vehicle, replacing “registration certificate” with “commercial registration certificate” and adding provision re commercial registration certificate issued on apportionment basis, amended Subsec. (c) by adding reference to self-propelled vehicle, amended Subsec. (d) by changing fee from $23 to $30 in Subdiv. (1), changing fee from $3 to $5 and replacing reference to transceiver or facsimile equipment with reference to electronic means in Subdiv. (2), changing annual fee from $7 to $9, changing increment permit fee from one-tenth of annual fee to $100 and adding reference to vehicle and trailer in Subdiv. (3) and changing fee from $500 to $650 in Subdiv. (4), and added provisions, codified by the Revisors as Subsec. (j) re waiver of fee increase, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 19-161 deleted former Subsec. (j) re waiver of fee increase and made technical changes, effective July 12, 2019.

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Sec. 14-276. School bus operators to hold a valid passenger and school endorsement. Duties of carrier re registration and withdrawal, suspension or revocation of employee's operator's license or endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicles. Civil penalties. (a) Registered school buses while transporting school children shall be operated by holders of a valid passenger and school endorsement issued in accordance with section 14-44. Such endorsement shall be held in addition to the commercial driver's license required for the operation of such motor vehicles. A person who has attained the age of seventy shall be allowed to hold a passenger and school endorsement for the purpose of operating a school bus, provided such person meets the minimum physical requirements set by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and agrees to submit to a physical examination at least twice a year or when requested to do so by the superintendent of the school system in which such person intends to operate a school bus. Any person to whom a town has awarded a contract for the transportation of school children who permits the operation of a registered school bus while transporting school children by any person who does not hold a passenger and school endorsement shall be fined not less than two thousand five hundred dollars or more than five thousand dollars.

(b) On and after October 1, 2019, each carrier engaged in the transportation of students shall register with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. Registration shall include the carrier's name, address and the name of the employee or agent assigned to perform the carrier's responsibilities under subsection (c) of this section. A carrier shall file amendments to the registration to report to the commissioner any material change in any information contained in the registration not later than thirty calendar days after the carrier knows or reasonably should know of the material change.

(c) Not less than once during the first and third week of each month, a carrier shall review the report made by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of section 14-44, with reference to the name and motor vehicle operator's license number of each person such carrier employs to operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212. If, according to such report, any such employee's motor vehicle operator's license or endorsement to operate a school bus or student transportation vehicle has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked, such carrier shall immediately prohibit such employee from operating a school bus or student transportation vehicle.

(d) Any carrier who fails to register with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or review the report made by the commissioner, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty of one thousand dollars for the first violation, and two thousand five hundred dollars for each subsequent violation. Any carrier who fails to take immediate action to prohibit the operation of a school bus or student transportation vehicle by an operator who appears on a report, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty of two thousand five hundred dollars for the first violation, and five thousand dollars for each subsequent violation. Upon appropriate justification presented to the commissioner by any carrier, the commissioner may make a determination to reduce any such penalty.

(1955, S. 1320d; 1967, P.A. 859; 1969, P.A. 110, S. 2; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 21; P.A. 81-256, S. 1; S.A. 81-57, S. 4, 5; P.A. 82-223, S. 21; P.A. 83-340, S. 1, 4; 83-577, S. 26; P.A. 90-263, S. 29, 74; P.A. 93-341, S. 27, 38; P.A. 94-189, S. 19, 34; P.A. 06-130, S. 11; P.A. 07-217, S. 53; 07-224, S. 3; P.A. 11-213, S. 41; P.A. 18-164, S. 12; P.A. 19-119, S. 7.)

History: 1967 act prohibited persons 70 or older from holding license to operate school bus; 1969 act required minimum age of 19 for holding license to operate school bus; 1972 act deleted minimum age requirement; P.A. 81-256 removed provision which had made board of education members subject to fine for permitting unlicensed person to transport children and added Subsec. (b) requiring commissioner to furnish names of those whose licenses are suspended or revoked upon request; S.A. 81-57 revised effective date of P.A. 81-256 but did not change October 1, 1981, effective date of amendments to this section; P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (a) by lowering the maximum fine from $100 to $90 and added Subsec. (c) to specify that violation of the section is an infraction; P.A. 83-340 amended Subsec. (a) to allow a person age 70 or older to operate a school bus provided he meets physical requirements set by the commissioner and agrees to take a physical examination at least twice a year, where previously operation of bus by person 70 or older was prohibited; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing the minimum fine from $25 to $35; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to substitute public passenger transportation permits for public service operators' licenses and to insert commercial driver's license in lieu of regular operator's license in Subsec. (a); P.A. 93-341 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to replace references to public passenger transportation permits with references to passenger and school endorsements, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 94-189 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 06-130 deleted former Subsec. (b) which had required commissioner to furnish names of those whose passenger and school endorsements are suspended or revoked and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as new Subsec. (b); P.A. 07-217 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), effective July 12, 2007; P.A. 07-224 amended Subsec. (a) by increasing minimum fine from $35 to $2,500 and maximum fine from $90 to $5,000, deleted former Subsec. (b) re infraction and added new Subsecs. (b) re review of report by carrier and prohibiting employees whose operator's license or school bus or student transportation vehicle endorsement has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked from operating such vehicles and (c) re civil penalties for failure to review report or remove employee as operator of a school bus or student transportation vehicle, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (c) to change time limit for removal of operator from 10 days to 48 hours, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “twice per month” with “once during the first and third week of each month” re review of report, and add “immediately” re carrier to prohibit employee from operating school bus or student transportation vehicle, and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing provision re carrier who fails to remove operator not later than 48 hours after reviewing report employees whose license or endorsement to operate school bus or student transportation vehicle that has been withdrawn, suspended or revoked with provision re carrier who fails to take immediate action to prohibit operation of school bus or student transportation vehicle by operator who appears on report, effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-119 added new Subsec. (b) re registration of carrier, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) and (c) as Subsecs. (c) and (d) and amended redesignated Subsec. (d) by adding provision re failure of carrier to register with commissioner and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2019.

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Sec. 14-276a. School bus operators and operators of student transportation vehicles: Regulations; qualifications; training; drug testing. (a) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing a procedure for the safety training of school bus operators and operators of student transportation vehicles. Such regulations shall provide for minimum proficiency requirements for school bus operators. The safety training administered by the commissioner shall conform to the minimum requirements of number 17 of the National Highway Safety Standards. Such safety training shall include instruction relative to the location, contents and use of the first aid kit in the motor vehicle.

(b) No person shall operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, for the purpose of transporting school children unless such person has prior to the issuance or renewal of such person's license endorsement: (1) Furnished evidence to the satisfaction of the commissioner that such person meets the physical qualification standards established in 49 CFR 391, as amended from time to time; and (2) successfully completed a course in safety training and, in the case of school bus operators, passed an examination in proficiency in school bus operation given by the commissioner. Such proficiency examination shall include a road test administered in either a type I school bus having a gross vehicle weight exceeding ten thousand pounds or a type II school bus having a gross vehicle weight of ten thousand pounds or less. Any operator administered a road test in a type II school bus shall not be eligible for a license to operate a type I school bus. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be deemed to have committed an infraction.

(c) Any town or regional school district may require its school bus operators to have completed a safety training course in the operation of school buses, consisting of a minimum of ten hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and three hours of classroom instruction.

(d) A carrier shall require each person whom it intends to employ to operate a school bus, as defined in section 14-275, or a student transportation vehicle, as defined in section 14-212, to submit to a urinalysis drug test in accordance with the provisions of sections 31-51v and 31-51w and shall require each person it employs to operate such vehicles to submit to a urinalysis drug test on a random basis in accordance with the provisions of section 31-51x and the standards set forth in 49 CFR Parts 382 and 391. No carrier may employ any person who has received a positive test result for such test which was confirmed as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 31-51u. No carrier may continue to employ as a driver, for two years, any person who has received a positive test result for such test which was confirmed as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 31-51u. No carrier may continue to employ as a driver, permanently, any person who has received a second positive test result for such test which was confirmed as provided in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 31-51u. The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for the first offense and two thousand five hundred dollars for each subsequent offense on any carrier which violates any provision of this subsection.

(P.A. 73-503, S. 1, 2; P.A. 79-302, S. 1; P.A. 80-277, S. 1; P.A. 82-223, S. 22; P.A. 83-577, S. 27; P.A. 87-585, S. 2, 3; P.A. 88-317, S. 61, 107; P.A. 89-320, S. 6, 7, 12; P.A. 90-112, S. 5, 14; 90-263, S. 71, 74; P.A. 93-341, S. 28, 38; P.A. 96-167, S. 38; P.A. 07-224, S. 2; P.A. 08-150, S. 23; P.A. 19-119, S. 9.)

History: P.A. 79-302 deleted Subsec. (d) re appropriation to carry out purposes of section; P.A. 80-277 inserted new Subsec. (c) re safety training courses and relettered former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d); P.A. 82-223 amended Subsec. (d) by specifying that violation of the section constituted an infraction, establishing a minimum fine of $25 and lowering the maximum fine from $100 to $90; P.A. 83-577 amended Subsec. (d) by deleting the provision specifying a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $90; P.A. 87-585 amended Subsec. (b), requiring examination re school bus operation to include a road test administered in either a type I or type II school bus; P.A. 88-317 amended reference to Secs. 4-166 to 4-174 in Subsec. (a) to include new section added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; P.A. 89-320 amended Subsec. (a) to require that commissioner to adopt regulations re physical examination and safety training of operators of motor vehicles owned by or under contract to towns, regional school districts and schools and that safety training to include instruction re location, contents and use of first aid kit, and amended Subsec. (b) to prohibit persons from operating other school transportation vehicles unless such persons have satisfied the requirements in Subdivs. (1) and (2) prior to issuance or renewal of their public service operators' licenses, and to delete the definition of “school year”, making technical changes as necessary, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-112 amended Subsecs. (a) and (b) to substitute “student transportation vehicles” for references to motor vehicles owned by or under contract to a town, regional school district, public, private or religious school and used to transport students to and from school and inserted new Subsec. (d) requiring preemployment drug testing for prospective school bus operators and operators of student transportation vehicles, relettering former Subsec. (d) accordingly; P.A. 90-263 amended Subsec. (b) to substitute public passenger transportation permit for public service operator's license; P.A. 93-341 amended Subsec. (b) to replace reference to public passenger transportation permits and with reference to license endorsements, effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 96-167 eliminated Subsec. (e), imposing infraction as penalty for violation of any provision of section, and added in Subsec. (b) infraction as penalty and in Subsec. (d) provision authorizing commissioner to impose civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each offense on any carrier which violates provision of subsection; P.A. 07-224 amended Subsec. (d) by adding provisions re random drug testing of persons employed to operate school buses or student transportation vehicles and requirements applicable upon receipt of positive test results, making existing civil penalty applicable for the first offense and adding civil penalty of $2,500 for each subsequent offense, effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (d) to provide that random drug test also be in accordance with “the standards set forth in 49 CFR Parts 382 and 391”; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provisions re procedures for physical examination and regulations re minimum physical requirements, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing provision re minimum physical requirements established by commissioner with provision re physical qualification standards established in 49 CFR 391, deleting provision re commissioner to administer course in safety training, amended Subsec. (d) by deleting references to Sec. 31-51u(a)(3) and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2019.

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Sec. 14-279b. Review of evidence file. Summons. Defenses. (a) Whenever a violation of section 14-279 is detected and recorded by a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system, a state or municipal police officer shall review the evidence file which shall include two or more digital photographs, recorded video or other recorded images and a signed affidavit of a person who witnessed such violation live. If, after such review, such officer determines that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of section 14-279 has occurred, such officer shall authorize the issuance of a summons for such alleged violation. If such officer authorizes the issuance of a summons for such alleged violation, the law enforcement agency shall, not later than ten days after the alleged violation, mail a summons to the registered owner of the motor vehicle together with a copy of two or more digital photographs, recorded video or other recorded images and a signed affidavit of a person who witnessed such violation live.

(b) As provided in subsection (b) of section 14-107, proof of the registration number of the motor vehicle therein concerned shall be prima facie evidence that the owner was the operator thereof, except that, in the case of a leased or rented motor vehicle, such proof shall be prima facie evidence that the lessee was the operator thereof. A photographic or digital still or video image that clearly shows the license plate number of a vehicle violating section 14-279 shall be sufficient proof of the identity of such vehicle for purposes of subsection (b) of section 14-107.

(c) Any person who is alleged to have committed a violation of section 14-279 and receives a summons pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall follow the procedures set forth in section 51-164n.

(d) A recorded image produced by a monitoring system shall be sufficient evidence of a violation of section 14-279 and shall be admitted without further authentication.

(e) All defenses shall be available to any person who is alleged to have committed a violation of section 14-279 that is detected and recorded by a monitoring system, including, but not limited to, that (1) the violation was necessary to allow the passage of an emergency vehicle, (2) the violation was necessary to avoid injuring the person or property of another, (3) the violation was incurred while participating in a funeral procession, (4) the violation was incurred during a period of time in which the motor vehicle had been reported as being stolen to an organized local police department or the state police and had not been recovered prior to the time of the violation, (5) the operator was convicted of a violation of section 14-279 for the same incident based upon a separate and distinct summons issued by a sworn police officer, or (6) the violation was necessary in order for the operator to comply with any other general statute or regulation concerning the operation of a motor vehicle.

(f) No recorded image produced by a monitoring system pursuant to this section may be introduced as evidence in any other civil or criminal proceedings.

(g) A recorded image produced by a monitoring system shall be destroyed (1) ninety days after the date of the alleged violation if a summons is not issued for such alleged violation pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or (2) upon final disposition of the case to which it pertains if a summons is issued for such alleged violation pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(P.A. 11-255, S. 3; P.A. 18-164, S. 20; P.A. 19-161, S. 6.)

History: P.A. 11-255 effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 18-164 amended Subsec. (a) to make a technical change and amended Subsec. (b) to add provision re sufficient proof for purposes of Sec. 14-107(b), effective July 1, 2018; P.A. 19-161 amended Subsec. (b) to replace “identify” with “identity”, effective July 12, 2019.

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Sec. 14-283a. Pursuits by police officers. State-wide policy. Prohibitions. Reports. (a) As used in this section, “police officer” and “law enforcement unit” have the same meanings as provided in section 7-294a, and “pursuit” means an attempt by a police officer in an authorized emergency vehicle to apprehend any occupant of another moving motor vehicle, when the driver of the fleeing motor vehicle is attempting to avoid apprehension by maintaining or increasing the speed of such vehicle or by ignoring the police officer's attempt to stop such vehicle.

(b) (1) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in conjunction with the Chief State's Attorney, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and the Connecticut Coalition of Police and Correctional Officers, shall adopt, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, a uniform, state-wide policy for handling pursuits by police officers. Such policy shall specify: (A) The conditions under which a police officer may engage in a pursuit and discontinue a pursuit, (B) alternative measures to be employed by any such police officer in order to apprehend any occupant of the fleeing motor vehicle or to impede the movement of such motor vehicle, (C) the coordination and responsibility, including control over the pursuit, of supervisory personnel and the police officer engaged in such pursuit, (D) in the case of a pursuit that may proceed and continue into another municipality, (i) the requirement to notify and the procedures to be used to notify the police department in such other municipality or, if there is no organized police department in such other municipality, the officers responsible for law enforcement in such other municipality, that there is a pursuit in progress, and (ii) the coordination and responsibility of supervisory personnel in each such municipality and the police officer engaged in such pursuit, (E) the type and amount of training in pursuits, that each police officer shall undergo, which may include training in vehicle simulators, if vehicle simulator training is determined to be necessary, and (F) that a police officer immediately notify supervisory personnel or the officer in charge after the police officer begins a pursuit. The chief of police or Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, as the case may be, shall inform each officer within such chief's or said commissioner's department and each officer responsible for law enforcement in a municipality in which there is no such department of the existence of the policy of pursuit to be employed by any such officer and shall take whatever measures that are necessary to assure that each such officer understands the pursuit policy established.

(2) Not later than January 1, 2021, and at least once during each five-year period thereafter, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in conjunction with the Chief State's Attorney, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and the Connecticut Coalition of Police and Correctional Officers, shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to update such policy adopted pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(c) No police officer engaged in a pursuit shall discharge any firearm into or at a fleeing motor vehicle, unless such officer has a reasonable belief that there is an imminent threat of death to such officer or another person posed by the fleeing motor vehicle or an occupant of such motor vehicle.

(d) No police officer shall intentionally position his or her body in front of a fleeing motor vehicle, unless such action is a tactic approved by the law enforcement unit that employs such police officer.

(e) If a pursuit enters the jurisdiction of a law enforcement unit other than that of the unit which initiated the pursuit, the law enforcement unit that initiated the pursuit shall immediately notify the law enforcement unit that has jurisdiction over such area of such pursuit.

(f) (1) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, established under section 7-294b, shall develop and promulgate a standardized form for (A) reporting pursuits by police officers pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, and (B) submitting annual reports pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(2) On and after January 1, 2019, the chief of police or the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, as the case may be, shall require each police officer who engages in a pursuit to report such pursuit on the standardized form developed and promulgated under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(3) Not later than January 31, 2020, and annually thereafter, each chief of police and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall submit an annual report to the Police Officer Standards and Training Council regarding pursuits by police officers on the standardized form developed and promulgated under subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(4) Not later than April 30, 2020, and annually thereafter, the Police Officer Standards and Training Council shall compile, analyze and summarize the annual reports and submit, in accordance with section 11-4a, a consolidated report regarding police pursuits and any recommendations for legislation to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security. The council may partner with an institution of higher education in this state or a professional police organization to prepare or to assist in the preparation of the consolidated report.

(P.A. 78-372, S. 1, 2, 7; P.A. 99-171, S. 1, 5; P.A. 11-51, S. 155; P.A. 18-161, S. 3; P.A. 19-90, S. 5.)

History: P.A. 99-171 defined “police officer” in Subsec. (a), amended Subsec. (b) by changing the requirement that each police department adopt a pursuit policy to a requirement that a uniform, state-wide pursuit policy be adopted, adding Subdivs. (1) to (6), inclusive, and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1999; P.A. 11-51 amended Subsec. (b) by removing “Not later than January 1, 2000,” and by replacing “Commissioner of Public Safety” with “Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection”, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 18-161 amended Subsec. (a) by redefining “police officer”, amended Subsec. (b) by making technical changes and added Subsec. (c) re standardized forms and reports; P.A. 19-90 defined “law enforcement unit” and made technical changes in Subsec. (a), amended Subsec. (b) by designating existing provisions re policy for handling pursuits as new Subdiv. (1), redesignating existing Subdivs. (1) to (6) as Subparas. (A) to (F), redesignating existing Subdivs. (4)(A) and (4)(B) as Subdivs. (1)(D)(i) and (1)(D)(ii) and adding new Subdiv. (2) re update of policy at least once every 5 years, added new Subsec. (c) re discharge of firearm into or at fleeing motor vehicle, added Subsec. (d) re positioning of body in front of fleeing motor vehicle, added Subsec. (e) re pursuit entering jurisdiction of another unit and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (f).

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Sec. 14-286. Use of bicycles, electric bicycles, electric foot scooter, motor-driven cycles and high-mileage vehicles. (a) Each person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon and along a sidewalk or across any roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal within a reasonable distance before overtaking and passing a pedestrian. Each person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric foot scooter or a motor-driven cycle upon a roadway shall, within a reasonable distance, give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or another person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle, an electric foot scooter or a motor-driven cycle. No person shall operate a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon or along a sidewalk or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk if such operation is prohibited by any ordinance of any city, town or borough or by any regulation of the Office of the State Traffic Administration issued or adopted pursuant to the provisions of section 14-298.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, no person shall ride a motor-driven cycle unless that person holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license. No person shall operate a motor-driven cycle on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike.

(c) (1) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may issue to a person who does not hold a valid operator's license a special permit that authorizes such person to ride a motor-driven cycle if (A) such person presents to the commissioner a certificate by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 that such person is physically disabled, as defined in section 1-1f, other than blind, and that, in the physician's or advanced practice registered nurse's opinion, such person is capable of riding a motor-driven cycle, and (B) such person demonstrates to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles that he is able to ride a bicycle on level terrain, and a motor-driven cycle. (2) Such permit may contain limitations that the commissioner deems advisable for the safety of such person and for the public safety, including, but not limited to, the maximum speed of the motor such person may use. No person who holds a valid special permit under this subsection shall operate a motor-driven cycle in violation of any limitations imposed in the permit. Any person to whom a special permit is issued shall carry the permit at all times while operating the motor-driven cycle. Each permit issued under this subsection shall expire one year from the date of issuance.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Office of the State Traffic Administration shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 determining the conditions and circumstances under which the operation of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters may be permitted on those bridges in the state on limited access highways which it designates to be safe for such operation. The operation of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters shall not be prohibited on any such bridges under such conditions and circumstances.

(e) As used in this section: (1) “Sidewalk” means any sidewalk laid out as such by any town, city or borough, and any walk which is reserved by custom for the use of pedestrians, or which has been specially prepared for their use. “Sidewalk” does not include crosswalks and does not include footpaths on portions of public highways outside thickly settled parts of towns, cities and boroughs, which are worn only by travel and are not improved by such towns, cities or boroughs or by abutters; (2) “bicycle” includes all vehicles propelled by the person riding the same by foot or hand power; and (3) “motor-driven cycle” means any motorcycle other than an autocycle, motor scooter or bicycle with an attached motor with a seat height of not less than twenty-six inches and a motor having a capacity of less than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement.

(f) A person shall operate a motor-driven cycle on any public highway, the speed limit of which is greater than the maximum speed of the motor-driven cycle, only in the right hand lane available for traffic or upon a usable shoulder on the right side of the highway, except when preparing to make a left turn at an intersection or into or from a private road or driveway.

(g) Any person who pleads not guilty of a violation of any provision of this section shall be prosecuted within fifteen days of such plea.

(h) No person may operate a high-mileage vehicle on any sidewalk, limited access highway or turnpike.

(i) A person may park an electric foot scooter on any sidewalk provided (1) such electric foot scooter is parked in a manner that does not impede the reasonable movement of pedestrians and other traffic on such sidewalk, and (2) such parking is not prohibited by any ordinance of any city, town or borough or by any regulations of the Office of the State Traffic Administration issued or adopted pursuant to the provisions of section 14-298.

(j) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2505; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 75; 1971, P.A. 119; P.A. 75-577, S. 108, 126; P.A. 76-250, S. 1, 4; 76-381, S. 5; P.A. 77-375, S. 1; P.A. 81-394, S. 6; P.A. 82-88; P.A. 96-167, S. 46, 49; P.A. 97-321, S. 2; P.A. 03-171, S. 13; P.A. 06-130, S. 16; P.A. 08-150, S. 16; P.A. 12-132, S. 24; P.A. 13-271, S. 34; P.A. 15-46, S. 5; P.A. 16-39, S. 12; P.A. 19-162, S. 9.)

History: 1971 act clarified ban on use of bicycles and tricycles on sidewalks; P.A. 75-577 deleted provision requiring that prosecutions for violations be instituted within 15 days after offense committed and added statement that violation is infraction unless not guilty plea made in which case prosecution to be made within 15 days; P.A. 76-250 added provisions re bicycles with helper motors; P.A. 76-381 replaced provision for $20 maximum fine with statement that violator deemed to have committed an infraction and deleted the later provision re commission of infraction now rendered redundant; P.A. 77-375 excluded tricycles from consideration under provisions, restated rules governing operation of bicycles, deleting ten m.p.h. speed limit and allowing operation on sidewalks if allowed by ordinance or state traffic commission regulation, deleted definition of “park” and “square” and placed statement re violation as infraction in separate Subsec. (b); P.A. 81-394 inserted new Subsec. (b) limiting the operation of high-mileage vehicles and relettered former Subsec. (b) accordingly; P.A. 82-88 included provision regarding the adoption of regulations concerning bicycles on bridges; P.A. 96-167 amended Subsec. (a), deleting requirement of operable pedals in definition of “bicycle”, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 97-321 reorganized Subsec. divisions, inserted new Subsec. (c) re issuance of special permit to ride bicycle with helper motor and amended Subsec. (e) clarifying definition of “sidewalk” and “helper motor” (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (c) references to “helper's motor” were replaced editorially by the Revisors with “helper motor” to conform language with existing references); P.A. 03-171 amended Subsec. (b) to delete “or motorcycle operator's license”; P.A. 06-130 amended Subsec. (e)(3) by removing definition of “helper motor” and defining “bicycle with a helper motor”, effective June 2, 2006; P.A. 08-150 amended Subsec. (a) to include operator of “a motor-driven cycle” in provision requiring the giving of an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian or bicycle operator, amended Subsec. (b) to replace references to “bicycle with a helper motor” with “motor-driven cycle” and delete prohibition on operating bicycle with a helper motor at a rate of speed exceeding 30 miles per hour, amended Subsec. (c) to replace references to “bicycle with a helper motor” with “motor-driven cycle”, replace reference to “a bicycle without a helper motor” with “a bicycle” and replace reference to “the helper motor” with “the motor”, amended Subsec. (e) to redefine “bicycle”, delete definition of “bicycle with a helper motor” and add definition of “motor-driven cycle”, added new Subsec. (f) re permissible area of operation of a motor-driven cycle, redesignated existing Subsecs. (f), (g) and (h) as new Subsecs. (g), (h) and (i), respectively, and made a technical change in new Subsec. (g); P.A. 12-132 amended Subsecs. (a) and (d) by replacing “State Traffic Commission” with “Office of the State Traffic Administration”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to redefine “motor-driven cycle” by replacing “that produces five brake horsepower or less” with “having a capacity of less than fifty cubic centimeters piston displacement”, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-46 amended Subsec. (e)(3) to redefine “motor-driven cycle”, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 16-39 amended Subsec. (c)(1)(A) by adding references to advanced practice registered nurse; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsecs. (a) and (d) by adding provisions re electric bicycle and electric foot scooter, added new Subsec. (i) re parking electric foot scooter, redesignated existing Subsec. (i) as Subsec. (j) and made conforming and technical changes.

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Sec. 14-286a. Rights and duties of person riding bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter. Regulation of use of bicycle, electric bicycle and electric foot scooter. (a) Every person riding a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon the traveled portion of a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any vehicle subject to the requirements of the general statutes relating to motor vehicles, except (1) as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application, (2) each town, city or borough and the Office of the State Traffic Administration within its jurisdiction as provided in section 14-298 shall have authority to regulate bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters as provided in sections 14-289 and 14-298, and (3) as provided by section 14-286c. No parent of any child and no guardian of any ward shall authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any provision of the general statutes or ordinances enacted under section 14-289 relating to bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters.

(b) Every person operating a bicycle solely by hand or foot power upon and along any sidewalk or across any roadway upon and along any crosswalk shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians walking in such areas as provided by the general statutes, except as provided otherwise by any ordinance of any city, town or borough or any regulation of the Office of the State Traffic Administration, issued or adopted pursuant to the provisions of section 14-289.

(February, 1965, P.A. 448, S. 37; P.A. 77-375, S. 2; P.A. 78-331, S. 11, 58; P.A. 12-132, S. 25; P.A. 18-165, S. 11; P.A. 19-162, S. 10.)

History: P.A. 77-375 deleted references to tricycles, included reference to regulations imposed by state traffic commission and added Subsec. (b) re rights of cyclists operating bicycle solely by hand or foot power; P.A. 78-331 made technical changes; P.A. 12-132 replaced “State Traffic Commission” with “Office of the State Traffic Administration”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 18-165 amended Subsec. (a) to add references to electric bicycles and make a technical change; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsec. (a) to add references to electric foot scooters, insert Subdiv. designators (1) to (3) and make technical changes.

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Sec. 14-286b. Operation of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters on roadways. Prohibitions re attaching to moving vehicle. Penalty. (a) Any person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic shall ride as close to the right side of the roadway as is safe, as judged by such person, except when:

(1) Overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

(2) Preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

(3) Reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or lanes that are too narrow for a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter and a motor vehicle to travel safely side by side within such lanes;

(4) Approaching an intersection where right turns are permitted and there is a dedicated right turn lane, in which case a person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter may ride on the left-hand side of such dedicated lane, even if such person does not intend to turn right;

(5) Riding on a roadway designated for one-way traffic, when the person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter may ride as near to the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as judged safe by such person; or

(6) Riding on parts of roadways separated for the exclusive use of bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters, including, but not limited to, contra-flow bicycle lanes, left-handed cycle tracks or bicycle lanes on one-way streets and two-way cycle tracks or bicycle lanes.

(b) Persons riding bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters. Persons riding two abreast, as provided in this subsection, shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, and, on a laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane.

(c) No person riding upon any bicycle, electric bicycle, motor-driven cycle, roller skates, skis, sled, skateboard, coaster, toy vehicle, electric foot scooter or any other vehicle not designed or intended to be towed shall attach the same or such person to any vehicle moving or about to move on a public roadway nor shall the operator of such vehicle knowingly permit any person riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, motor-driven cycle, roller skates, skis, skateboard, coaster, sled, toy vehicle, electric foot scooter or any other vehicle not designed or intended to be towed to attach the same or such person to such vehicle so operated or about to be operated, provided any person operating a bicycle solely by foot or hand power may attach a bicycle trailer or semitrailer thereto, provided such trailer or semitrailer is designed for such attachment.

(d) No person operating a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon a roadway, path or part of roadway set aside for exclusive use of bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters shall carry on such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter a passenger unless such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter is equipped or designed to carry passengers, provided any person who has attained the age of eighteen years may carry any child while such person is operating a bicycle propelled solely by foot or hand power, provided such child is securely attached to his or her person by means of a back pack, sling or other similar device. The term “child”, as used in this subsection, means any person who has not attained the age of four years.

(e) No person operating a bicycle, as defined in section 14-286, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter shall carry any package, bundle or other article which prevents such person from using both hands in the operation of such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter. Each person operating such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars thereof when such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter is in motion.

(f) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(February, 1965, P.A. 448, S. 38; P.A. 75-577, S. 109, 126; P.A. 77-375, S. 3; P.A. 98-165, S. 3; P.A. 13-271, S. 35; P.A. 15-41, S. 3; P.A. 18-165, S. 12; P.A. 19-162, S. 11.)

History: P.A. 75-577 added Subsec. (e); P.A. 77-375 added provisions re riding two abreast in Subsec. (b), deleted Subsec. (c), relettered former Subsec. (d) as Subsec. (c), including under its provisions skateboards and coasters and adding proviso re attachment of bicycle trailers and semitrailers, replaced former Subsec. (e) with new provisions re carrying passengers (now Subsec. (d)), added new Subsec. (e) re carrying bundles and added new Subsec. (f) containing provision re violation formerly found in Subsec. (d); P.A. 98-165 amended Subsec. (a) to replace provision requiring bicyclist to exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction with Subdivs. (1) to (4), inclusive, specifying exceptions to requirement of riding as near to the right side of roadway as practicable; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (c) to include motor-driven cycle, skis or any other vehicle not designed or intended to be towed and to make technical changes, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 15-41 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing former provisions with provisions and exceptions re person operating bicycle on roadway at less than normal speed of traffic, effective July 1, 2015; P.A. 18-165 amended Subsecs. (a) to (e) by adding references to electric bicycles and making technical changes; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsecs. (a) to (e) by adding references to electric foot scooter and making technical changes.

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Sec. 14-286c. Left and right turns. (a) Each person riding a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter, upon the traveled portion of a highway and intending to make a left turn after proceeding pursuant to the provisions of section 14-244 or subsection (b) of this section may, in lieu of the procedure prescribed by section 14-241, approach as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway, proceed across the intersecting roadway and make such turn as close as practicable to the curb or edge of the highway on the far side of the intersection, provided such procedure is not prohibited by any regulation issued by any town, city, borough or the Office of the State Traffic Administration.

(b) Each person riding a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon the traveled portion of a highway and intending to make a right turn may, in lieu of the procedure prescribed by section 14-244, before turning and while in motion or if stopped while waiting to turn, signal such turn by extending such person's right hand and arm horizontally with forefinger extended.

(c) No person operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter upon the traveled portion of a highway and intending to make a right or left turn shall be required when making a signal of such intention to make such signal continuously.

(P.A. 77-375, S. 4; P.A. 12-132, S. 26; P.A. 17-79, S. 27; P.A. 18-165, S. 13; P.A. 19-162, S. 12.)

History: P.A. 12-132 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “State Traffic Commission” with “Office of the State Traffic Administration”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 17-79 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes; P.A. 18-165 added “or an electric bicycle, as defined in section 14-1,” in Subsecs. (a) to (c); P.A. 19-162 deleted references to Sec. 14-1, added references to electric foot scooter and made technical changes.

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(b) No child fifteen years of age or under shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard or electric foot scooter or wear roller skates or in-line skates on the traveled portion of any highway, at a skateboarding park or any park unless such child is wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear which conforms to the minimum specifications established by the American National Standards Institute, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Society for Testing and Materials or the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, as amended from time to time. Failure to comply with this section shall not be a violation or an offense. Failure to wear protective headgear as required by this subsection shall not be considered to be contributory negligence on the part of the parent or the child nor shall such failure be admissible in any civil action.

(c) A law enforcement officer may issue a verbal warning to the parent or guardian of a child that such child has failed to comply with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.

(d) A person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of renting bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters shall provide protective headgear conforming to the minimum specifications established by the American National Standards Institute, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Society for Testing and Materials or the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, as amended from time to time, to any person under sixteen years of age who will operate the bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter if such person does not have protective headgear in his or her possession. A fee may be charged for the protective headgear rental. Violation of any of the provisions of this subsection shall be an infraction.

(e) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall post on the Department of Consumer Protection's Internet web site information concerning the dangers of riding bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters, skateboarding, roller skating and in-line skating without protective headgear and promoting the use of protective headgear while riding bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters, skateboarding, roller skating and in-line skating.

(P.A. 93-286, S. 2; 93-292, S. 1-4; P.A. 96-180, S. 43, 166; P.A. 97-46; P.A. 00-196, S. 12; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 146(c); P.A. 04-189, S. 1; P.A. 18-167, S. 12; P.A. 19-162, S. 13.)

History: P.A. 93-286 added provision to Subsec. (b) specifying that failure to wear headgear shall not be considered contributory negligence on part of parent or child nor shall failure be admissible in any civil action; P.A. 96-180 amended Subsec. (b) to add “Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling” as alternative organization establishing specifications for protective headgear, effective June 3, 1996; P.A. 97-46 amended Subsec. (b) to require children 15 years of age and under to wear protective headgear and to delete “under twelve” re age of child; P.A. 00-196 added reference to Sec. 14-286e in Subsec. (a); June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 replaced Commissioner of Consumer Protection with Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective July 1, 2004; P.A. 04-189 repealed Sec. 146 of June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, thereby reversing the merger of the Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, effective June 1, 2004; P.A. 18-167 amended Subsec. (b) to add provisions re operating nonmotorized scooter or skateboard or wearing roller skates or in-line skates on highway, skateboarding park or any park and re properly fitted and fastened protective headgear and to replace reference to specifications established by Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling with reference to specifications established by Snell Memorial Foundation, as amended from time to time, amended Subsec. (d) to replace “bicycle helmet” with “protective headgear” and make technical and conforming changes, and amended Subsec. (e) to replace provision re public awareness campaign with provision re information on department's web site re protective headgear; P.A. 19-162 amended Subsecs. (b), (d) and (e) to add provisions re electric bicycle and electric foot scooter, further amended Subsecs. (b) and (d) to add reference to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Society for Testing and Materials, and made technical changes.

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Sec. 14-288. Lights, reflectors and brakes on bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters. Whistle emitting devices prohibited. (a) Each bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter operated upon the public highway, during the times or under the conditions as provided in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, shall display a lighted lamp upon the forward part of such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter. Such lamp shall, when lighted, emit a white light which in clear weather shall be visible at a distance of not less than five hundred feet in the direction in which such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter is proceeding. Each bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter shall also, at all times, be equipped with a reflector or reflecting tail light lens, which reflector or lens shall be attached to the rear of such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter in such manner as to reflect rays of light thrown upon the same, and such reflector or reflecting tail shall be visible at a distance of not less than six hundred feet from the rear when illuminated by the head lamps of a motor vehicle. Such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter shall also be equipped with reflective material so placed and of sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides of such bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter at a distance of not less than six hundred feet when illuminated by the head lamps of a motor vehicle. Each bicycle, electric bicycle or electric foot scooter shall also, at all times, be equipped with a braking device sufficient to enable the operator thereof to stop within twenty-five feet on dry, level and clean pavement when moving at a speed of ten miles per hour. No person shall equip a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter with a siren or device which emits a whistle or use a siren or device which emits a whistle while operating a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter.

(b) Operation of a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter in conflict with any provision of this section shall be an infraction.

(1949 Rev., S. 2507; 1955, S. 1381d; 1959, P.A. 62, S. 9; P.A. 75-577, S. 111, 126; P.A. 77-375, S. 5; P.A. 18-165, S. 14; P.A. 19-162, S. 14.)

History: 1959 act removed requirement that reflector be of a type approved by the commissioner; P.A. 75-577 replaced provision for $5 maximum fine in Subsec. (b) with statement that violation of provisions is an infraction; P.A. 77-375 replaced general requirements that bicycle have rear reflector and brakes with specifications for required equipment, required that headlight be visible from 500 rather than 400 feet and replaced reference to operation half-hour after sunset and before sunrise with reference to operation during times or under conditions specified in Sec. 14-96a(a); P.A. 18-165 added references to electric bicycle; P.A. 19-162 added references to electric foot scooter and made technical changes.

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Sec. 14-289. Regulation of use of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters by municipality. Each town, city and borough shall have authority to make any ordinance not inconsistent with section 14-286 or 14-288 or any regulation of the Office of the State Traffic Administration issued pursuant to section 14-298, respecting governing and controlling the use of bicycles, electric bicycles and electric foot scooters within such town, city or borough, with appropriate penalties for violation thereof, which ordinances may include provisions requiring annual licensing of bicycles, electric bicycles or electric foot scooters and providing for registration of any sale of, or change of ownership in, a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric foot scooter.

(1949 Rev., S. 2508; 1957, P.A. 13, S. 76; P.A. 77-375, S. 7; P.A. 12-132, S. 27; P.A. 18-165, S. 15; P.A. 19-162, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 77-375 deleted reference to repealed Sec. 14-287 and included reference to regulations of state traffic commission; P.A. 12-132 replaced “State Traffic Commission” with “Office of the State Traffic Administration”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 18-165 added references to electric bicycles; P.A. 19-162 added references to electric foot scooters and made technical changes.

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Sec. 14-289k. Rights of electric bicycle riders. Operation of electric bicycles. Prohibition re children riding electric bicycles. Protective headgear for electric bicycle riders and passengers. Exceptions. (a) Except as provided in this section, the rider of an electric bicycle shall be afforded the same rights and privileges and subject to the same duties as the rider of a bicycle.

(b) Except as provided in this section or where prohibited by local ordinance, an electric bicycle may be ridden where bicycles are permitted to travel.

(d) Except where permitted by local ordinance, a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle shall not be ridden on a bicycle trail or path or multiuse trail or path designated for nonmotorized traffic if such trail or path has a natural surface tread made by clearing and grading the soil and no surfacing materials have been added.

(e) No person under the age of sixteen shall ride a class 3 electric bicycle. Any person under the age of sixteen may sit as a passenger on a class 3 electric bicycle provided such bicycle is equipped or designed to carry a passenger.

(f) No person shall ride or sit as a passenger on an electric bicycle unless such person is wearing protective headgear that conforms to the minimum specifications established for bicycle helmets by the American National Standards Institute, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the American Society for Testing and Materials or the Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, as amended from time to time.

(g) The provisions of subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this section shall not apply to any police officer, firefighter or emergency medical technician engaged in the performance of the duties of such officer, firefighter or technician.

(P.A. 18-165, S. 1; P.A. 19-162, S. 19.)

History: P.A. 19-162 deleted former Subsec. (a) re definitions, redesignated existing Subsecs. (b) to (h) as Subsecs. (a) to (g), amended redesignated Subsec. (f) to add reference to American National Standards Institute and Snell Memorial Foundation's Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, and made technical and conforming changes.

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Sec. 14-290. Exemptions from motor vehicle laws. (a) Motor vehicles in the custody and use of officers in the performance of their duties shall be exempt from any traffic regulations of any town, city or borough, including, but not limited to, regulations concerning the payment of parking meters, and from the provisions of this chapter and chapter 246, so far as such exemption is necessary for the effective enforcement of any of the provisions of the statutes.

(b) The following provisions of the general statutes shall not apply to operators of maintenance vehicles or equipment of any governmental agency or agent thereof or to vehicles or equipment of any governmental agency or agent thereof, so far as such exemption is necessary, while such operators and equipment are engaged in or are preparing to engage in or are departing from highway maintenance operations on any highway, road or street, provided the Department of Transportation shall not by reason of such exemption suffer any loss of revenue granted from any agency or department of the federal government for the federal Interstate Highway System or any other highway system: Sections 14-216, 14-230 to 14-233, inclusive, 14-235 to 14-242, inclusive, 14-244 to 14-247, inclusive, 14-250a to 14-252, inclusive, 14-261, 14-262, 14-264 to 14-271, inclusive, 14-299, 14-301 to 14-308, inclusive.

(c) Any wrecker, as defined in section 14-1 and operated in accordance with section 14-66, shall be exempt from the provisions of section 14-267a, provided such wrecker is towing or hauling a motor vehicle that was involved in an accident or became disabled and remains within the limits of a highway, or is being towed or hauled by order of a traffic or law enforcement authority and does not exceed a gross vehicle weight of eighty thousand pounds on five or more axles. Any wrecker towing or hauling such a motor vehicle in a combination that exceeds a gross vehicle weight of eighty thousand pounds on five or more axles shall be exempt from the provisions of section 14-267a, provided such wrecker is operated in accordance with section 14-270 and has been issued an annual permit as described in subsection (d) of section 14-270.

(d) A vehicle or vehicle combination used exclusively by the state or a municipality, or any authorized agent or contractor of the state or municipality, for the removal of leaves and similar, organic materials from any highway, road or street, shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 14-261, 14-261a and 14-262, provided such vehicle or vehicle combination is being operated by a person who is the holder of a commercial driver's license bearing a “T” endorsement.

(1949 Rev., S. 2427; 1969, P.A. 507, S. 1; P.A. 77-11; 77-604, S. 47, 84; P.A. 85-223, S. 2; P.A. 91-192, S. 1; P.A. 02-70, S. 61; P.A. 04-199, S. 14; 04-217, S. 30; P.A. 08-101, S. 6; 08-150, S. 39; P.A. 19-161, S. 5.)

History: 1969 act added Subsec. (b) exempting operators of maintenance vehicles or equipment of governmental agencies from specified sections of statutes; P.A. 77-11 replaced highway department with department of transportation; P.A. 77-604 deleted references to repealed Secs. 14-229, 14-258 and 14-272 and added references to Secs. 14-230 and 14-271 in Subsec. (b); P.A. 85-223 added Subsec. (c) which exempts wreckers from the provisions of Sec. 14-267a, concerning fines for overweight vehicles, with certain limitations; P.A. 91-192 amended Subsec. (b) to extend exemption to operators and equipment preparing to engage in or departing from highway maintenance operations (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (c), subdivision “(90)” was substituted for “(65)” editorially by the Revisors to correct the reference); P.A. 02-70 amended Subsec. (b) to make a technical change, effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 04-199, effective July 1, 2004, and P.A. 04-217, effective January 1, 2005, both amended Subsec. (c) to eliminate reference to Sec. 14-1(90); P.A. 08-101 amended Subsec. (c) to replace provision re wrecker shall be exempt from Sec. 14-267a provided wrecker is in the course of towing or hauling disabled motor vehicle that does not exceed weight limits with provision re wrecker operated in accordance with Sec. 14-66 shall be exempt from Sec. 14-267a provided wrecker is towing or hauling motor vehicle that was involved in an accident or became disabled and remains within limits of a highway or is being towed or hauled by order of traffic or law enforcement authority and does not exceed gross vehicle weight of 80,000 pounds on 5 or more axles and to add provision re wrecker towing or hauling motor vehicle in combination that exceeds 80,000 pounds shall be exempt from Sec. 14-267a, provided wrecker is operated in accordance with Sec. 14-270 and has been issued annual permit as described in Sec. 14-270(d); P.A. 08-150 added Subsec. (d) re exemption for vehicle or vehicle combination used by state, municipality or agent or contractor thereof for removal of leaves and similar, organic materials; P.A. 19-161 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re regulations concerning payment of parking meters.

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Sec. 14-295. Double or treble damages for personal injury or property damage resulting from certain traffic violations. In any civil action to recover damages resulting from personal injury, wrongful death or damage to property, the trier of fact may award double or treble damages if the injured party has specifically pleaded that another party has deliberately or with reckless disregard operated a motor vehicle in violation of section 14-218a, 14-219, 14-222, 14-227a or 14-227m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 14-230, 14-234, 14-237, 14-239, 14-240a or 14-296aa, and that such violation was a substantial factor in causing such injury, death or damage to property. The owner of a rental or leased motor vehicle shall not be responsible for such damages unless the damages arose from such owner's operation of the motor vehicle.

(1949 Rev., S. 2492; P.A. 76-435, S. 1, 82; P.A. 77-604, S. 7, 84; P.A. 85-122; P.A. 88-229; P.A. 03-250, S. 2; P.A. 16-126, S. 22; P.A. 19-160, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 76-435 deleted references to repealed Secs. 14-246 and 14-293; P.A. 77-604 replaced reference to Sec. 14-232 with reference to Sec. 14-242; P.A. 85-122 made provisions of section inapplicable to person licensed under Sec. 14-15; P.A. 88-229 entirely replaced prior provisions re the liability for double or treble damages of each person who, by neglecting to conform to any provision of Secs. 14-230 to 14-242, inclusive, or Sec. 14-245 or 14-247, causes injury to the person or property of another if the court, in its discretion, determines that double or treble damages are just with provisions authorizing the trier of fact to award double or treble damages if the injured party has specifically pleaded that another party has deliberately or with reckless disregard operated a motor vehicle in violation of certain enumerated statutes and that such violation was a substantial factor in causing the injury, death or damage to property; P.A. 03-250 provided that the owner of a rental or leased motor vehicle is not responsible for damages unless the damages arose from such owner's operation of the motor vehicle, effective October 1, 2003, and applicable to causes of action accruing on or after that date; P.A. 16-126 added references to Secs. 14-227m and 14-227n(a)(1) and (2); P.A. 19-160 added reference to Sec. 14-296aa, effective July 1, 2019, and applicable to any civil action pending on or filed on or after said date.

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(1) “Mobile telephone” means a cellular, analog, wireless or digital telephone capable of sending or receiving telephone communications without an access line for service.

(2) “Using” or “use” means holding a hand-held mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, the user's ear.

(3) “Hand-held mobile telephone” means a mobile telephone with which a user engages in a call using at least one hand.

(4) “Hands-free accessory” means an attachment, add-on, built-in feature, or addition to a mobile telephone, whether or not permanently installed in a motor vehicle, that, when used, allows the vehicle operator to maintain both hands on the steering wheel.

(5) “Hands-free mobile telephone” means a hand-held mobile telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such hand-held mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand, whether or not the use of either hand is necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone.

(6) “Engage in a call” means talking into or listening on a hand-held mobile telephone, but does not include holding a hand-held mobile telephone to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone.

(7) “Immediate proximity” means the distance that permits the operator of a hand-held mobile telephone to hear telecommunications transmitted over such hand-held mobile telephone, but does not require physical contact with such operator's ear.

(8) “Mobile electronic device” means any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing data communication between two or more persons, including a text messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital video disk, or equipment on which digital photographs are taken or transmitted, or any combination thereof, but does not include any audio equipment or any equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the purpose of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator of such motor vehicle or video entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats of such motor vehicle.

(9) “Operating a motor vehicle” means operating a motor vehicle on any highway, as defined in section 14-1, including being temporarily stationary due to traffic, road conditions or a traffic control sign or signal, but not including being parked on the side or shoulder of any highway where such vehicle is safely able to remain stationary.

(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsections (c) and (d) of this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a highway, as defined in section 14-1, while using a hand-held mobile telephone to engage in a call or while using a mobile electronic device. An operator of a motor vehicle who types, sends or reads a text message with a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle shall be in violation of this section, except that if such operator is driving a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, such operator shall be charged with a violation of subsection (e) of this section.

(2) An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a hand-held mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, his or her ear while operating a motor vehicle is presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this section. The presumption established by this subdivision is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator was not engaged in a call.

(3) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as authorizing the seizure or forfeiture of a hand-held mobile telephone or a mobile electronic device, unless otherwise provided by law.

(4) Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to: (A) The use of a hand-held mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: An emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company; a fire department; or a police department, or (B) any of the following persons while in the performance of their official duties and within the scope of their employment: A peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3, a firefighter or an operator of an ambulance or authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, or a member of the armed forces of the United States, as defined in section 27-103, while operating a military vehicle, or (C) the use of a hand-held radio by a person with an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission in emergency situations for emergency purposes only, or (D) the use of a hands-free mobile telephone.

(c) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device, including those with hands-free accessories, or a mobile electronic device while operating a school bus that is carrying passengers, except that this subsection shall not apply when such person (1) places an emergency call to school officials, (2) uses a hand-held mobile telephone as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this section, or (3) uses a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile electronic device in a manner similar to a two-way radio to allow real-time communication with a school official, an emergency response operator, a hospital, physician's office or health clinic, an ambulance company, a fire department or a police department.

(d) No person under eighteen years of age shall use any hand-held mobile telephone, including one with a hands-free accessory, or a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway, except as provided in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this section.

(e) No person shall use a hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device or type, read or send text or a text message with or from a mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while operating a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, except for the purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: An emergency response operator; a hospital; physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company; a fire department or a police department.

(f) Except as provided in subsections (b) to (e), inclusive, of this section, no person shall engage in any activity not related to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation of such vehicle on any highway, as defined in section 14-1.

(g) Any law enforcement officer who issues a summons for a violation of this section shall record on such summons the specific nature of any distracted driving behavior observed by such officer.

(h) Any person who violates this section shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars for a first violation, three hundred dollars for a second violation and five hundred dollars for a third or subsequent violation.

(i) An operator of a motor vehicle who commits a moving violation, as defined in subsection (a) of section 14-111g, while engaged in any activity prohibited by this section shall be fined in accordance with subsection (h) of this section, in addition to any penalty or fine imposed for the moving violation.

(j) The state shall remit to a municipality twenty-five per cent of the fine amount received for a violation of this section with respect to each summons issued by such municipality. Each clerk of the Superior Court or the Chief Court Administrator, or any other official of the Superior Court designated by the Chief Court Administrator, shall, on or before the thirtieth day of January, April, July and October in each year, certify to the Comptroller the amount due for the previous quarter under this subsection to each municipality served by the office of the clerk or official.

(k) A record of any violation of this section shall appear on the driving history record or motor vehicle record, as defined in section 14-10, of any person who commits such violation, and the record of such violation shall be available to any motor vehicle insurer in accordance with the provisions of section 14-10.

(P.A. 05-159, S. 1-7; 05-220, S. 2, 3; P.A. 06-196, S. 284; P.A. 09-54, S. 1; P.A. 10-32, S. 51, 52; 10-109, S. 1; P.A. 11-213, S. 53; P.A. 12-67, S. 1; 12-133, S. 3; P.A. 13-271, S. 37; 13-277, S. 10; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 227; P.A. 19-108, S. 2; 19-119, S. 15.)

History: P.A. 05-220 amended Subsec. (a) to make definitions applicable to Subsecs. (c) and (d) and add new Subdiv. (8) defining “mobile electronic device”, amended Subsec. (b) to add references to a mobile electronic device in Subdivs. (1) and (3) and delete exemption for “the operator of a taxi cab, tow truck or bus without passengers” in Subdiv. (4)(B) and amended Subsec. (c) to make prohibition applicable to the use of a mobile electronic device and make a technical change and amended Subsec. (d) to apply prohibition to a person under 18 years of age rather than to a person who holds a learner's permit or any holder of a motor vehicle license subject to the requirements of Sec. 14-36(d) and make prohibition applicable to the use of a mobile electronic device; P.A. 06-196 made technical changes, effective June 7, 2006; P.A. 09-54 amended Subsec. (b)(4) to add members of the armed forces, effective May 21, 2009; P.A. 10-32 made technical changes in Subsecs. (b) and (e), effective May 10, 2010; P.A. 10-109 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to establish violation re operator of vehicle in motion who types, sends or reads text message with hand-held mobile telephone or mobile electronic device, made technical changes in Subsecs. (b) and (e), amended Subsec. (g) to replace fine of not more than $100 and provision suspending fine for first-time violator who acquires hands-free accessory with fine of $100 for first violation, $150 for second violation and $200 for third or subsequent violation, and added Subsec. (j) to require state to remit to municipalities 25% of amount received by state for each summons issued by such municipality; P.A. 11-213 amended Subsec. (b)(1) to add provision re operator driving commercial motor vehicle to be charged with violation of Subsec. (e), added new Subsec. (e) to prohibit texting while operating commercial motor vehicle, except for emergency situations, redesignated existing Subsecs. (e) to (g) as Subsecs. (f) to (h), deleted former Subsec. (h) re $100 fine for violation of Subsec. (c) or (d), amended redesignated Subsec. (h) to increase fines for violations from $100, $150 and $200 to $125, $250 and $400, respectively, and made conforming and technical changes, effective July 13, 2011; P.A. 12-67 amended Subsec. (b)(4) to add new Subpara. (C) re use of hand-held radio by person with amateur radio station license and redesignate existing Subpara. (C) as Subpara. (D); P.A. 12-133 amended Subsec. (j) to specify that the state is to remit to a municipality 25% of the fine amount received for a violation of section for each summons issued by such municipality; P.A. 13-271 amended Subsec. (e) to add provision re prohibition of use of hand-held mobile telephone or other electronic device, amended Subsec. (h) to increase fines for violations from $125, $250 and $400 to $150, $300 and $500, respectively, and added Subsec. (k) re record of violation on driving history or motor vehicle record and availability of record to motor vehicle insurer; P.A. 13-277 added Subsec. (a)(9) defining “operating a motor vehicle”, amended Subsec. (b)(1) and (2) to delete provisions limiting violations to vehicles in motion and to add references to “operating a motor vehicle”, amended Subsec. (b)(4) to limit exemption for hand-held radio use to emergency purposes only, and amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) to delete provisions limiting violations to “moving” bus or vehicle; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 amended Subsec. (b)(4)(B) to add sworn motor vehicle inspector to list of persons allowed to use hand-held mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while driving, effective June 30, 2015; P.A. 19-108 amended Subsec. (b)(4)(B) to delete reference to sworn motor vehicle inspector; P.A. 19-119 amended Subsec. (c) to add Subdiv. (3) re use of hand-held mobile telephone or mobile electronic device in manner similar to two-way radio and made technical changes.

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