Posted on May 1, 2023
Distracted driving is a problem, but it doesn’t have to be. Every driver has the ability to end this dangerous practice and provide increased safety for other drivers and pedestrians. Putting cell phones down, keeping your eyes on the road and maintaining proper speed and following distances will dramatically cut down on crashes.
In Connecticut in 2022, there were nearly 5,200 crashes attributed to distracted driving.
Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle, and violating Connecticut’s distracted-driving laws can be costly. Drivers who are ticketed are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense, and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation urges drivers to put their phone down when they get behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and park the vehicle in a safe place first.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,522 distracted driving deaths in 2022. They reported the overall number of traffic fatalities is estimated to be 42,795.
These numbers are far too high.