My July Editorial: Summertime Road Safety

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Summertime is one of my favorite seasons, bringing together families and friends for holiday traditions, outdoor events, and fantastic weather. With more reasons to gather outside, it’s important to remember how to celebrate and travel safely. That’s why I invite you to explore my road safety tip sheet below that includes key travel recommendations to ensure you can make the most out of your summer.

TIP #1: Don’t speed. According to a recent survey by the Seattle Times, roughly 82% of adults, or 212 million Americans, plan to travel this summer which often brings heavy traffic and longer travel times. This means that it’s our job to obey speed limits and respect emergency and non-emergency vehicles while driving to our summer destinations.

In 2022, Connecticut recorded the most accidents/deaths primarily due to speeding, and sadly, we’re on track to repeat that this year. To avoid this, I have supported measures for municipalities, like Milford, to install red-light speeding cameras that document fast drivers, directly aiding our local police in their investigations to crack down on speeding.

TIP #2: Don’t drive distracted or intoxicated. The proliferation of wrong-way and intoxicated driving has led to police, pedestrian, and driver fatalities throughout our state in recent years. That’s why I joined my House Republican colleagues in supporting two pro-police amendments that would have permitted an officer to conduct motor vehicle stops for (1) reasonable suspicion of a driver using marijuana or if (2) a marijuana smoke-filled vehicle carried a child passenger.

Although these amendments were opposed by the majority party, we are continuing our work with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the CT State Police on addressing intoxicated and wrong way driving through increased enforcement and education initiatives.

TIP #3: Don’t engage in reckless driving. Even if reckless driving and street racing looks fun on social media for teens, it’s not safe for anyone involved. After a ‘street takeover’ ripped through our local streets last year, I joined members of the House in passing a bill increasing punishments for organizers and participants of illegal roadway activity. Although the bill wasn’t a priority for the Senate, it addressed the growing issue of how social media can negatively influence our youth and contribute to illegal activity in our communities.

TIP #4: Protect children and pets from the heat. Hot weather makes for hot cars, which is a reminder for us to never leave behind children and pets in parked vehicles. Additionally, let’s remember to stay hydrated, watch for ticks and mosquitoes, and be cognizant of asphalt temperatures when taking pets for walks.

As Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee, I know that implementing these safety tips not only contributes to a positive summer experience for you, but for our entire community. Keeping our roads safe requires a team effort and together, we can both protect one another and change current statewide traffic data trends to reflect our commitment to roadway safety.

Although the legislative session is adjourned, please never hesitate to contact me with your questions, ideas, and concerns at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 860-240-8700. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and subscribe to my brief email updates at RepKennedy.com.