Posted on April 12, 2024
HARTFORD- State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) slammed a proposal which lessens the penalty for not paying a speeding ticket in Connecticut.
The legislation, HB-5331, An Act Concerning the Suspension of Motor Vehicle Operators’ Licenses For Failure To Pay Fines Or Fees Or Failure To Appear For A Scheduled Court Appearance would eliminate the ability for the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles to revoke a drivers’ license for an unpaid speeding ticket, other traffic infractions or failure to appear in court.
According to Rep. Howard, in 2024, there have been 87 fatalities on Connecticut roadways which is on track to be the deadliest in forty (40) years.
This will give state prosecutors no recourse in penalizing dangerous and flagrant speeders. Make no mistake, this proposal makes our roads less safe. The leading cause of fatalities in an auto accident is speed,” said Rep. Howard.
Rep. Howard commended Garrett Eucalitto, the Commissioner, CT Department of Transportation (CTDOT) for expressing concerns over the removal of the power of the state to suspend an operator’s license at a time when unsafe driving is at an all-time high. He goes on to express feelings that doing so, would allow drivers to pay even greater disregard for the safety of others on the roadway by removing a deterrent for failing to pay tickets.
Howard added that he agrees with the DOT commissioner that this proposal runs contrary to other efforts made by the Department of Transportation to introduce stricter enforcement of penalties for unsafe driving such as the Automated Work Zone Speed Camera pilot program.
The bill passed the Judiciary committee despite Republican opposition in committee and now moves to the House of Representatives for a full debate and vote.