Distracted driving is a significant threat to traffic safety. Distracting driving is dangerous, claiming 3,142 lives nationally in 2019. We as a community need to work together on making our roads safer. The best way to end distracted driving is to educate motorists about the danger it poses and to strictly enforce Connecticut’s distracted driving laws. Thanks to a state grant, our Department will conduct increased distracted driving enforcement from April 1, 2022 thru April 20, 2022.
New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski
WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.
All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
CONNECTICUT LAW
- The use of a handheld cellular telephone or other electronic device is banned for all drivers.
- The use of a cellular telephone (handheld and hands-free) is banned for bus drivers.
- The use (handheld and hands-free) of a cellular telephone or other electronic device while driving is banned for novice* drivers.
- Texting while driving is banned for all drivers.
*Connecticut defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 or with a learner’s permit.
SOME FRIGHTENING FACTS
- According to the National Safety Council, nearly 1.6 motor vehicle accidents occur annually due to cell phone use while driving.
- Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.
- 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.
- 40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger.
- Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.