Connecticut House Bill HB06570

Connecticut 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/9/11
• Refer: 3/9/11

Caption

An Act Concerning The Penalty For Texting While Operating A Commercial Motor Vehicle.

Impact

The enactment of HB 06570 would result in the immediate imposition of monetary fines for violations related to texting while driving. Specifically, first-time offenders would face a fine of $100, while repeat offenses could incur fines of $150 and $200 respectively. Furthermore, these penalties establish a deterrent effect intended to reduce distracted driving events among commercial drivers, thereby promoting safer transportation practices and enhancing overall public safety. The law would require enforcement officers to document specific instances of distracted driving behavior when issuing summonses.

Summary

House Bill 06570 is an act aimed at amending the penalties associated with texting while operating a commercial motor vehicle. The bill seeks to update existing statutes to comply with federal regulations prohibiting such actions, thereby enhancing the safety of roadways. Under the proposed legislation, individuals found guilty of texting while driving a commercial vehicle would be classified as committing a serious traffic violation. This classification is significant as it imposes stricter penalties than those for simple offenses and carries additional implications for commercial drivers' licenses.

Contention

Notably, this legislation may encounter some contention among various stakeholders. While proponents argue it is necessary for public safety and aligns with federal law, there may be concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement and proper use of technology for monitoring offenders. Furthermore, the requirement to classify texting as a serious traffic violation might be viewed as excessively punitive by those in the commercial driving industry. Critics might argue that such measures could disproportionately impact drivers who occasionally need to communicate for business purposes.