News
Governor Rell directs State Police to crack down on distracted driving as schools begin winter vacations
By Governor Rell's office
Feb 17, 2008 - 12:59:58 PM

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has directed the Connecticut Department of Public Safety to mount an intense crackdown on all forms of unsafe driving by deploying extra resources to ensure Connecticut’s highways are as safe as possible. “Operation Safe Drive” will be conducted during the week of February 18-22, with a special emphasis on distracted driving.

“Twenty five percent of all crashes involve some form of driver distraction,” Governor Rell said. “I am directing the State Police to focus on the strict enforcement of distracted driving offenses, especially cell phone use while driving.

“Distracted driving is dangerous to everyone,” the Governor said. “Some distractions, no matter how minor, interfere with a driver’s ability to properly maintain control of his or her vehicle. The fine for cell phone use while driving is $100, but the consequences of being distracted while driving can amount to much more.

“Starting Monday children will be out of school on their winter break and we need everyone to pay strict attention to the road,” Governor Rell said. “Driving safely requires good skills and concentration at all times. All motorists’ primary goal when operating a motor vehicle on a public highway should be to arrive at their destination safely. In order to do so, drivers should obey the rules of the road, traffic laws and act responsibly.”

Connecticut law prohibits the use of a hand held cell phone by drivers and also the distraction of a driver which leads to committing a moving violation. Drivers under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited from the use of any type of cell phone (hands-free or not) or any other electronic device.

Some of the common distractions seen by State Police are:

• Talking on a cell phone
• Using mobile electronic devices (e.g., text messaging devices, laptops)
• Pets interfering with the driver
• Children requiring attention
• Reading a map or directions
• Personal grooming (e.g., applying make-up, combing hair)
• Eating
• Picking up dropped items

To avoid distractions while driving all drivers should:

• Use a hands-free device for cell phones
• Never read maps, newspaper or other materials
• Never attempt to remove coats
• Not conduct personal grooming
• Not try to retrieve fallen items


In 2006 the State Police made 3,700 contacts with motorists for these offenses (2,500 tickets and 1,200 warnings). In 2007 the number of contacts doubled to over 7,700 (6,300 tickets and 1,400 warnings).

In her budget address on February 6, Governor Rell proposed a comprehensive approach to highway and truck safety, including the addition of 100 new state troopers devoted exclusively to enforcing traffic laws and two new Department of Motor Vehicles “truck squads” to target companies with a history of safety violations. In addition, the Governor is proposing a pilot program using automated speed enforcement cameras in the Lyme-Old Lyme area of Interstate 95 and new standards and requirements for the training and licensing of teenage drivers.

“Highway safety is a quality of life issue,” Governor Rell said. “I want the vast majority of motorists in Connecticut who obey our laws and drive sensibly to know that they are being protected and that they can get where they are going in safety. However, those who do not follow the rules of the road will be in for a rude awakening in the form of a trooper with a ticket.”

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