Rutigliano: Stop Distracted Driving

TRUMBULL- State Rep. David Rutigliano (R-123) is informing Trumbull residents that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the National Safety Council is sponsoring a “Take Back Your Drive Pledge.”

Under Connecticut’s cell phone and texting law passed in 2014, violations involve heavy fines, ranging from $150 for first offense, $300 for second offense, and $500 for each subsequent violation. We also created a first-in-the-nation system that allows offenses to affect the violator’s car insurance premium.

An estimated 1 in 4 car crashes involve cell phones, according to the National Safety Council, and 34 percent of teen drivers have admitted to texting while driving; 52 percent have said they have talked on the phone. 10 percent of drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.

Please do not drive distracted – not this month, not ever. It is unsafe and endangers both fellow motorists and pedestrians.

Please consider taking the National Safety Council’s pledge to be an attentive driver by clicking below.