O’Dea Applauds Tough Stance on Distracted Driving

HARTFORD- During a recent meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee, State Rep. Thomas O’Dea Jr. (New Canaan and Wilton) voted in favor of stiffer penalties for those who are caught driving while distracted.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 people die each year and distracted driving and half a million drivers are injured in accidents involving texting or phone use.
The legislation House Bill 6033, An Act Increasing Fines for Distracted Driving takes a multi-pronged approach to combat the growing issue of distracted driving by Connecticut drivers, especially our young adults.

• Establishing a task force to prevent distracted driving and help improve enforcement of current laws given the new advancements of mobile technology.
• Increasing the fine for a first distracted driving violation from $100 to $150; a second violation from $150 to $300; and a third violation from $200 to $500.
• Creates a point system for offenses that has the potential to affect the violator’s car insurance premium.

According to AAA, nearly 35 percent of drivers admit to texting while behind the wheel or driving while distracted.

“During my run for state house last year, I stated on numerous occasions that I thought distracted driving was the single biggest danger facing motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on the roads today and this bill increases awareness and the consequences for a violation,” said Rep. O’Dea.

The bill passed unanimously out of the Transportation committee and now heads to the House of Representatives for a full floor debate.