Researcher: HP Page 1 3/18/21
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5429
AN ACT CONCERNING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, VISION ZERO
COUNCIL, SPEED LIMITS IN MUNICIPALITIES, FINES AND
CHARGES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS, THE GREENWAYS
COMMEMORATIVE ACCOUNT AND MAINTENANCE WORK ZONE
AND SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
§ 1 — YIELDING TO PEDESTRIANS AT CROSSWALKS
Expands the circumstances under which drivers must yield to pedestrians at uncontrolled
crosswalks
§ 2 — VISION ZERO
Establishes a Vision Zero Council and charges it with developing a statewide policy to
eliminate all transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries
§ 3 — CERTIFICATE OF OPERATION FOR MAJOR TRAFFIC
GENERATORS
Requires OSTA to consider major traffic generators’ impact on bicycle and pedestrian
access and safety when awarding certificates of operation
§ 4 — DOORING
Prohibits causing physical contact with moving traffic by (1) opening a vehicle door or (2)
leaving it open longer than necessary to load or unload passengers
§ 5 — MUNICIPAL SURCHARGE
Increases, from $20 to $25, the surcharge on certain moving violations that is remitted to
municipalities and subjects dooring violations to the surcharge
§§ 6-12 — LOCAL ROAD SPEED LIMITS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
ZONES
Allows municipalities to establish speed limits on local roads without OSTA approval and
allows for the establishment of pedestrian safety zones with speed limits as low as 15 mph
in downtown districts and community centers
§ 13 — DISTRACTED DRIVING FINES
Increases the fines for distracted driving
§ 14 — GREENWAYS COMMEMORAT IVE PLATES
Requires that greenways commemorative plate fees be deposited into a dedicated account
and used to fund grant programs for greenways and other bicycle and pedestrian trails
§§ 5, 15-17, 19 & 21-23 — SPEED CAMERAS IN MAINTENANCE
WORK ZONES AND SCHOO L AND HOSPITAL ZONES 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 2 3/18/21
Allows the use of speed cameras to enforce speed violations in (1) maintenance work zones
and (2) school and hospital zones under a pilot program in up to 10 municipalities
§ 18 — WORK ZONE SAFETY ACC OUNT
Requires that money in the work zone safety account be used only to pay costs of state
police traffic enforcement in highway work zones
§ 20 — HOSPITAL ZONES
Allows LTAs to establish hospital zones on roads adjacent or sufficiently close to hospital
property
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
This bill creates programs for using speed cameras to detect and
enforce violations in school and hospital zones, under a pilot program
the bill establishes, and in maintenance work zones. These programs
may begin operation in 2023, and only if the Departm ent of
Transportation (DOT) adopts regulations on speed camera data
privacy and related matters.
The bill allows for (1) local control of speed limits on local roads and
(2) the establishment of pedestrian safety zones.
It also makes changes related to bicycle and pedestrian access and
safety, such as:
1. expanding the circumstances under which drivers must yield to
pedestrians at uncontrolled crosswalks,
2. establishing a Vision Zero Council with the goal of eliminating
transportation-related deaths and serious injuries,
3. establishing an infraction for “dooring” moving traffic,
4. increasing distracted driving fines, and
5. dedicating revenue from greenways commemorative license
plates to fund greenways-related grant programs.
It also makes a number of technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021, unless otherwise noted below. 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 3 3/18/21
§ 1 — YIELDING TO PEDESTRIANS AT CROSSWALKS
Expands the circumstances under which drivers must yield to pedestrians at uncontrolled
crosswalks
The bill expands the circumstances under which drivers must yield
the right-of-way to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks
that are not controlled by traffic signals or police officers (i.e.,
uncontrolled crosswalks).
Under current law, a driver must yield to a pedestrian, slowing or
stopping as necessary, if the pedestrian has stepped off the curb or into
the crosswalk at the entrance. Under the bill, a driver must do so if the
pedestrian:
1. is within any portion of the crosswalk;
2. steps to the curb at a crosswalk’s entrance and indicates intent
to cross the road by raising his or her hand and arm toward
oncoming traffic; or
3. indicates intent to cross the road by moving into the crosswalk’s
entrance any body part or any extension of a body part,
including a wheelchair, cane, walking stick, crutch, bicycle,
electric bicycle, stroller, carriage, cart, or leashed or harnessed
dog.
As under existing law, drivers who fail to yield at a crosswalk when
required are subject to a $500 fine.
By law, pedestrians crossing at crosswalks controlled by traffic
signals or police officers may cross only as indicated by the signal or
officer. Pedestrians must also yield the right of way to emergency
vehicles.
§ 2 — VISION ZERO
Establishes a Vision Zero Council and charges it with developing a statewide policy to
eliminate all transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries
The bill establishes a Vision Zero Council and charges it with
developing a statewide policy and interagency approach to eliminate
all transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries to pedestrians, 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 4 3/18/21
bicyclists, transit users, drivers, and passengers. It must consider ways
to improve safety in all transportation modes using data, new
partnerships, safe planning, and community-based solutions to
achieve the goal of zero transportation-related fatalities.
The council is composed of the DOT, Department of Motor Vehicles
(DMV), and Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
(DEEP) commissioners and any other agency commissioners they
invite. Any commissioner may instead send a designee. The DOT
commissioner, or his designee, serves as chairperson of the council and
must schedule its first meeting by September 1, 2021. DOT must also
serve as administrative staff for the council.
Starting by February 1, 2022, the council must annually submit the
statewide policy and interagency approach, along with any other
recommendations, to the Transportation Committee.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage
§ 3 — CERTIFICATE OF OPERA TION FOR MAJOR TRAFFIC
GENERATORS
Requires OSTA to consider major traffic generators’ impact on bicycle and pedestrian
access and safety when awarding certificates of operation
The law generally requires an entity that is building, expanding,
establishing, or operating an open air theatre, shopping center, or any
other development generating large volumes of traffic that
substantially affect highway traffic (i.e., “major traffic generators”) to
obtain the Office of the State Traffic Administration’s (OSTA)
certification that the operation will not endanger public safety. State
regulations specify that a development qualifies as a major traffic
generator if it has (1) 200 or more parking spaces or (2) a gross floor
area of at least 100,000 square feet (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 14-312-1).
Existing law (1) establishes a number of factors that OSTA must
include in its consideration of highway safety (e.g., traffic density and
highway width and character) and (2) allows OSTA to require
applicants to make certain improvements t o address the
development’s highway safety impact. The bill adds bicycle and 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 5 3/18/21
pedestrian access and safety to the factors OSTA must consider and
allows it to require improvements that address impacts to bicycle and
pedestrian access and safety, conforming to current OSTA practice.
§ 4 — DOORING
Prohibits causing physical contact with moving traffic by (1) opening a vehicle door or (2)
leaving it open longer than necessary to load or unload passengers
The bill prohibits a person from causing physical contact between a
vehicle door and moving traffic by (1) opening the door or (2) leaving
it open longer than is necessary to load or unload passengers.
Violations of the bill are infractions.
Under the bill, “moving traffic” includes (1) motor vehicles,
bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric foot scooters traveling on the
highway and (2) pedestrians and people riding bicycles, electric
bicycles, or electric foot scooters on sidewalks, shoulders, or bikeways.
§ 5 — MUNICIPAL SURCHARGE
Increases, from $20 to $25, the surcharge on certain moving violations that is remitted to
municipalities and subjects dooring violations to the surcharge
The act increases, from $20 to $25, the surcharge paid, in addition to
a fine, by people who violate specified motor vehicle laws, regulations,
and ordinances, such as speeding and reckless driving. It also adds
dooring to the list of violations to which the surcharge applies.
By law, the state must remit this fee to the municipality in which a
violation occurs.
§§ 6-12 — LOCAL ROAD SPEED LIMITS AND PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY ZONES
Allows municipalities to establish speed limits on local roads without OSTA approval and
allows for the establishment of pedestrian safety zones with speed limits as low as 15 mph
in downtown districts and community centers
By law, a municipality’s local traffic authority (LTA) is responsible
for setting speed limits on streets, highways, or bridges or parking
areas for 10 or more cars within the town’s jurisdiction (i.e., local
roads). But under current law, the LTA must obtain approval from
OSTA before the limits can take effect. 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 6 3/18/21
Under certain conditions, the bill allows LTAs to establish or modify
speed limits on local roads without OSTA approval and establish
pedestrian safety zones on those roads. It also allows OSTA to
establish pedestrian safety zones on state roads at an LTA’s or DOT’s
request.
By law, the entity designated as the LTA varies by town, but may be
the police commission, board of selectman, mayor, town manager,
police chief, or traffic authority (CGS § 14-297(6)).
The bill also makes numerous technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021, for the provisions allowing LTAs
to set local speed limits and authorizing the establishment of
pedestrian safety zones; October 1, 2021, for the other provisions,
including certain conforming changes.
Speed Limits on Local Roads
The bill allows LTAs to establish or modify speed limits on local
roads without OSTA approval, as long as the LTA:
1. establishes, modifies, and maintains speed limits on all roads,
bridges, and parking areas under its jurisdiction;
2. conducts an engineering study (see below);
3. notifies OSTA of its intent to assume responsibility and
authority for establishing speed limits within its jurisdiction;
and
4. notifies DOT of each speed limit change so the department can
maintain a statewide inventory of speed limits.
Under the bill, LTAs may not set a speed limit lower than 20 mph
unless (1) the speed limit is part of a pedestrian safety zone (see below)
or (2) the engineering study indicates a speed limit lower than 25 mph
is reasonable. Under existing law and the bill, LTAs may establish
speed limits on private roads wholly within the municipality under its
jurisdiction without OSTA approval. 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 7 3/18/21
The bill also (1) specifies that any speed limit established with OSTA
approval remains in effect until the LTA modifies it and (2) makes
conforming changes to specify that exceeding a speed limit established
by an LTA without OSTA approval is prima facie evidence that a
driver is traveling unreasonably fast.
Pedestrian Safety Zones
The bill authorizes LTAs, in the case of local roads, or OSTA, in the
case of state roads, to establish pedestrian safety zones with speed
limits as low as 15 mph on roads in clearly defined downtown districts
and community centers frequented by pedestrians.
Under the bill, LTAs may establish a zone on local roads after
completing an engineering study as the bill requires. In municipalities
where OSTA approves speed limits, LTAs must notify OSTA in
writing that it is establishing a pedestrian safety zone and confirm that
the bill’s applicable requirements have been satisfied.
If an LTA or DOT seeks to establish a pedestrian safety zone on a
state highway that passes through a downtown district or community
center, it must submit a written request for approval to OSTA that
includes the required engineering study and speed management plan.
If OSTA denies the request, it must provide a written explanation of
the reasons for doing so.
Engineering Studies and Speed Management Plans
Under the bill, before an LTA establishes or modifies a speed limit
or establishes a pedestrian safety zone, the LTA must conduct an
engineering study in accordance with the Federal Highway
Administration’s (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD) and other generally accepted engineering principles and
guidance. (A study must also be conducted in order for OSTA to
approve an LTA’s or DOT’s request for a pedestrian safety zone on a
state highway.)
The study must be completed by a professional engineer licensed in
the state and consider factors including pedestrian activity, land use 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 8 3/18/21
and development, parking, and traffic accident records in the LTA’s
jurisdiction or area under consideration for a pedestrian safety zone.
If an engineering study on establishing a pedestrian safety zone
recommends doing so, the study must also include a speed
management plan and recommended actions to achieve lower motor
vehicle speeds.
Regulations
The bill authorizes OSTA to adopt regulations on (1) setting local
speed limits without OSTA approval and (2) establishing pedestrian
safety zones.
§ 13 — DISTRACTED DRIVING FINES
Increases the fines for distracted driving
The bill increases the fines for violating the state’s distracted driving
law from (1) $150 to $200 for a first violation, (2) $300 to $375 for a
second violation, and (3) $500 to $625 for a third or subsequent
violation.
The distracted driving law generally prohibits a person, while
driving, from using a handheld mobile telephone to engage in a call,
using a mobile electronic device (e.g., texting), and engaging in any
activity unrelated to driving in a manner that interferes with safely
operating the vehicle, among other things.
§ 14 — GREENWAYS COMMEMORAT IVE PLATES
Requires that greenways commemorative plate fees be deposited into a dedicated account
and used to fund grant programs for greenways and other bicycle and pedestrian trails
Under current law, the purpose of greenways commemorative
plates is to enhance public awareness of state and local efforts to
preserve, restore, and protect greenways. The money collected from
the special fee for greenways plates, less a $15 administrative fee, goes
to the General Fund.
The bill expands the purpose of the plate to include providing
funding for greenways and requires that the money collected be
deposited in the “greenways commemorative account,” which the bill 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 9 3/18/21
establishes as a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund.
Account funds must be spent by DEEP for the greenways capital grant
program and the bikeway, pedestrian walkway, recreation trail, and
greenways grant program.
The bill also (1) codifies regulations regarding greenways plate fees,
(2) allows, rather than requires, the DMV commissioner to establish
regulations on the plates, and (3) eliminates the requirement that any
regulations be developed in consultation with DEEP.
§§ 5, 15-17, 19 & 21-23 — SPEED CAMERAS IN MAI NTENANCE
WORK ZONES AND SCHOO L AND HOSPITAL ZONES
Allows the use of speed cameras to enforce speed violations in (1) maintenance work zones
and (2) school and hospital zones under a pilot program in up to 10 municipalities
The bill authorizes the use of speed cameras (“automated traffic
enforcement safety devices”) to detect and enforce violations for
exceeding the posted speed limit by 11 mph or more in (1)
maintenance work zones and (2) school and hospital zones under a
pilot program the bill establishes. The cameras may be operated only
(1) on or after January 1, 2023, and (2) after DOT has adopted privacy-
related regulations as the bill requires (see below).
The bill defines “automated traffic enforcement safety device” as a
photographic, radar, or laser device or other electrical or mechanical
device that (1) records motor vehicles’ speed and (2) produces one or
more recorded images indicating the date, time, and location of each
vehicle committing a speed camera violation (i.e., exceeding the posted
speed limit by 11 mph or more in a zone monitored by a speed camera,
see below).
Maintenance Work Zone Speed Cameras (§ 15)
The bill allows the DOT commissioner to install, operate, and
maintain speed cameras in maintenance work zones or enter into an
agreement with a contractor to do so. A “maintenance work zone” is
an area of limited access highway where DOT is performing
maintenance work.
The bill establishes requirements for operating speed cameras, 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 10 3/18/21
including that:
1. at least one highway worker (see BACKGROUND) must be
present in the zone,
2. state police must not be performing highway traffic
enforcement or control in the zone pursuant to a memorandum
of understanding,
3. signs indicating that the cameras are being used must be posted
at least 500 feet ahead of the zone, and
4. the cameras must be removed from the zone after the
maintenance work is complete.
School and Hospital Zones Speed Camera Pilot Program (§ 21)
The bill requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM)
secretary, in consultation with the DOT commissioner, to establish a
pilot program allowing up to 10 municipalities to install, operate, and
maintain speed cameras in school and hospital zones (see below) or to
enter into an agreement with a contractor to do so. OPM may allow
these municipalities to participate in the program for a period of five
years from when the first camera starts operating in the municipality,
and each participating municipality may operate cameras in up to 12
school and hospital zones.
Under the bill, participating municipalities must consider certain
factors when selecting zones for speed camera operation, including a
zone’s speed data, crash history, and roadway geometry. The bill
requires that towns post signs indicating that speed cameras are in use
proximate to the signs indicating the designated school or hospital
zone.
Image Review and Ticket Issuance (§§ 15 (c)-(d) & 21 (c)-(d))
Under the bill, police officers must review speed camera images and
issue tickets—state police in the case of cameras in maintenance work
zones and state or municipal police in the case of the pilot program. 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 11 3/18/21
Whenever a speed camera detects, and produces a recorded image
of, the license plate of a vehicle allegedly committing a speed camera
violation, a police officer must review the images. If, after doing so, the
officer determines there are reasonable grounds to believe a speed
camera violation occurred, the officer may authorize a citation for the
violation. However, under the pilot program, police must issue
warnings for violations occurring in the first 30 days after a camera
begins operating.
If an officer issues a ticket or a warning, the state police or the
municipal police department must mail the ticket and a copy of the
recorded images to the vehicle’s registered owner within (1) 10 days
after the alleged violation in a maintenance work zone and (2) 30 days
after the alleged violation in a school or hospital zone. Violations are
processed through the Centralized Infractions Bureau (CIB) (see
BACKGROUND).
Under the bill, a recorded image that clearly shows the license plate
of a vehicle exceeding the posted speed limit by 11 mph or more in a
maintenance work, school, or hospital zone is sufficient proof of the
vehicle’s identity. Proof of registration number is prima facie evidence
that the vehicle’s owner was driving at the time of the violation, except
that for rented or leased motor vehicles, it is proof that the lessee was
driving.
Use of Speed Cameras to Support Conviction (§§ 15 (e), 19 &
21(e))
Under the bill, there is a prima facie presumption of a speed
camera’s accuracy sufficient to support a violation only upon
testimony from a DOT employee, municipal employee, or a contactor,
as applicable, that:
1. the employee or contractor has adequate experience and
training in installing, maintaining, and operating speed
cameras;
2. the speed camera was in proper working condition when it
detected and recorded a motor vehicle allegedly committing a 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 12 3/18/21
speed camera violation, established by proof that the suggested
methods were followed for testing the camera’s proper
functioning;
3. the speed camera was used in an area where road conditions
provide a minimum possibility of distortion; and
4. the speed camera was expertly tested within a reasonable time
after it detected and recorded the vehicle, and the testing was
done in a way that does not rely on the camera’s internal
calibrations.
Available Defenses (§§ 15(f) & 21(f))
The bill makes all defenses available to a person who allegedly
committed a speed camera violation. These defenses specifically
include the following:
1. the violation was necessary to (a) allow an emergency vehicle to
pass or (b) avoid injuring a person or property,
2. the violation occurred during a time that the vehicle was
reported stolen to law enforcement and had not yet been
recovered,
3. the person was not operating the vehicle at the time, and
4. the violation was necessary for the driver to comply with
another law concerning vehicle operation.
In the case of speed cameras in school and hospital zones, the bill
also specifically makes available the defense that the person was
convicted of traveling unreasonably fast (CGS § 14-218a) or speeding
(CGS § 14-219) for the same incident based upon a separate and
distinct citation issued by an officer.
Speed Camera Violations and Fine Revenue Distribution (§§ 5, 22
& 23)
The bill creates a specific violation for speeding captured by speed
cameras. Specifically, it prohibits people operating motor vehicles, 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 13 3/18/21
other than emergency vehicles, from exceeding the posted speed limit
by 11 mph or more, as detected by a speed camera, in a maintenance
work, school, or hospital zone.
The violation is separate from other speed-related violations under
the law, and the bill specifically prohibits prosecution for a speed
camera violation and the other speed -related violations or
endangerment of a highway worker because of the same offense.
The bill establishes a fine for speed camera violations of (1) $75 for a
first offense and (2) $90 for a subsequent offense. The fines are not
subject to any additional surcharges.
Under the bill, the state must remit all fine revenue collected from
speed camera violations in schools and hospital zones, less $10 per
ticket, to the municipalities in which the violations occurred. The
municipalities must use the revenue to improve traffic safety within
the town. The $10 from each ticket must be deposited into a DOT-
controlled account and used to fund its required public awareness
campaign (see below). The bill does not specify where revenue from
speed camera violations in maintenance work zones must be
deposited, but presumably it must be deposited in the General Fund.
Under existing law, fines from speed-related violations (CGS §§ 14-
218a, -219 & -222) are deposited into the Special Transportation Fund
(STF)(CGS §§ 13b-59 & -61(b)(4)). It is unclear whether the bill has
implications for the STF “lockbox” (see BACKGROUND) because it
does not deposit speed camera violation revenue into the STF.
The bill requires each clerk of the Superior Court or the Chief Court
Administrator, or any other Superior Court official designated by the
Chief Court Administrator, to certify to the comptroller, by the 30
th
day
of each January, April, July, and October, the amount due for the
previous quarter to each municipality serviced by the office of the clerk
or official.
Image and Data Privacy and Security (§§ 15(b)(3), 16, 21(b)(5) &
21(g))
Image Recording. Under the bill, speed cameras must be installed 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 14 3/18/21
so that they only record images of a vehicle’s license plate and not of
the vehicle’s occupants or any other people or vehicles in the vicinity
when the images are recorded.
DOT Regulations. Before speed cameras may be operated in a
maintenance work zone, school zone, or hospital zone, DOT must
adopt regulations regarding the privacy, security, collection, use, and
disclosure of recorded images and any other data produced by speed
cameras. The regulations must include:
1. procedures to ensure recorded images’ privacy and security;
2. a description of any other data produced by a speed camera and
collected by DOT, a municipality, or a contractor; and
3. provisions to appropriately limit access to the images and data.
Image Disclosure. The bill prohibits DOT, a municipality, or a
contractor from disclosing any speed camera images or data to any
person except where the disclosure is made (1) between DOT, a
municipality, the police, or a contractor in order to operate the cameras
or issue a ticket; (2) pursuant to judicial orders (e.g., a search warrant
or subpoena) in criminal proceedings; or (3) to comply with state or
federal law. DOT, a municipality, or a contractor may also disclose
aggregate information and data collected from speed cameras for
DOT-approved research purposes as long as the data does not directly
or indirectly identify vehicles.
Within 30 days after disclosing images or data pursuant to a judicial
order, DOT, the municipality, or its contractor must notify the subject
person that it made the disclosure. They are not required to send the
notice by mail if the United States Postal Service has determined that
mail is undeliverable to the person at the address they have for the
person.
Under the bill, speed camera images or data are not deemed a
public record for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act.
Image Destruction. Under the bill, images and data recorded by 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 15 3/18/21
speed cameras must be destroyed (1) 60 days after the alleged
violation’s date, if a citation is not issued, or (2) upon the case’s final
disposition, if a citation is issued.
Audit. The bill requires DOT and participating municipalities, or
their contractors, to conduct internal audits regarding compliance with
the privacy regulations DOT adopts. In the case of maintenance work
zone cameras, the audit must be completed annually starting one year
after a speed camera begins operating in a maintenance work zone. In
the case of the pilot program, the audit must be conducted one year
after a speed camera begins operating and in each year of the pilot
program.
Annual Reporting. Beginning one year after a speed camera
becomes operational in a maintenance work zone, school zone or
hospital zone, DOT or a participating municipality must annually
submit a report containing the following information:
1. the number of times speed cameras captured license plates;
2. the number of times DOT, a municipality, or a contractor, as
applicable, disclosed speed camera images or data pursuant to a
criminal search warrant or criminal subpoena;
3. the number of requests for images or data DOT, a municipality,
or a contractor received, including the requestor’s identity and a
copy of the request; and
4. the results of the internal audit the bill requires.
DOT must submit the report to the Transportation Committee.
Municipalities participating in the pilot program must submit their
reports to OPM, and then OPM must compile them into a consolidated
report with any recommendations about the pilot program to the
Transportation Committee. The bill does not specify a deadline by
which OPM must submit the report.
Public Safety Awareness Campaigns (§§ 17 & 21(b)(3)) 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 16 3/18/21
The bill requires DOT, after consulting with pedestrian safety
advocates, to develop and implement a public awareness campaign to
educate the public about (1) ways to reduce transportation-related
fatalities and severe injuries to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users,
motorists, and passengers; (2) the importance of obeying speed limits
in highway work zones, school zones, and hospital zones; and (3) the
possible use of speed cameras in maintenance work zones. A
“highway work zone” is an area of a state highway where
construction, maintenance, or utility work is being performed.
It also requires municipalities participating in the pilot program, at
least 30 days before a speed camera is installed and operational, to
develop and implement a public awareness campaign about (1) the
importance of obeying speed limits in school and hospital zones and
(2) the use of speed cameras in the zone. It is unclear whether a
municipality must conduct this campaign each time it installs a camera
or just for the first one.
§ 18 — WORK ZONE SAFETY ACC OUNT
Requires that money in the work zone safety account be used only to pay costs of state
police traffic enforcement in highway work zones
By law, the work zone safety account is a separate, nonlapsing
account within the Special Transportation Fund. Under current law,
money in the account must be spent by DOT to protect the safety of
highway workers in highway work zones through (1) highway traffic
enforcement, including the expansion of the “Operation Big Orange”
program, and (2) purchasing and implementing technology and
equipment. Any money used for purposes other than the Operation
Big Orange program or direct traffic enforcement in work zones must
be approved by the Highway Work Zone Safety Advisory Council (see
BACKGROUND).
Under the bill, money in the account must instead be used only to
pay the costs of traffic enforcement and control by state police in
highway work zones.
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2022 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 17 3/18/21
§ 20 — HOSPITAL ZONES
Allows LTAs to establish hospital zones on roads adjacent or sufficiently close to hospital
property
The bill allows LTAs and OSTA to (1) designate as a hospital zone
any local road or state highway, as applicable, that is adjacent to
hospital property or sufficiently close to hospital property to
constitute, in the LTA’s opinion, a risk to public safety under all the
circumstances and (2) revoke such designation. In the case of state
roads, OSTA may only designate and revoke a zone at the request of a
municipality’s legislative body.
The LTA or OSTA, as applicable, must post an OSTA-approved sign
at the beginning and end of the zone, in each direction that traffic is
permitted to flow, indicating the zone’s designation. The sign must
conform to the MUTCD.
BACKGROUND
Highway Worker
By law, a “highway worker” is a person who is required to perform
his or her job duties on state bridges, state roads, or in highway work
zones, including:
1. a person performing maintenance, repair, or construction of
state bridges, state roads, shoulders, medians, and associated
rights-of-way in highway work zones;
2. a person operating a truck, loader, or other equipment or
performing any other related maintenance on state bridges,
state roads, or in highway work zones;
3. a state or local public safety officer enforcing work zone-related
transportation management and traffic control;
4. a state or local public safety officer conducting traffic control or
enforcement operations on state bridges, state roads, shoulders,
medians, and associated rights-of-way; and
5. a state or local public safety officer or firefighter, an emergency
medical services provider, or any other authorized person (a) 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 18 3/18/21
removing hazards on state bridges, state roads, shoulders,
medians, or associated rights-of-way or (b) responding to
accidents and other incidents in such locations or in highway
work zones (CGS § 14-212d).
Centralized Infractions Bureau (CIB)
By law, individuals charged with a motor vehicle violation may,
generally, pay the fine through the CIB without appearing in court.
Payment is considered a plea of nolo contendere (no contest) and is not
admissible in any civil or criminal proceeding. If an individual pleads
not guilty, the CIB must send the plea and request for trial to the clerk
of the geographical area court where the trial is to take place. The
practice, procedure, rules of evidence, and burden of proof applicable
in criminal proceedings apply in such a trial (CGS § 51-164n).
Special Transportation Fund and the “Lockbox”
The STF is a dedicated fund used to finance the state’s
transportation infrastructure program and operate DOT and DMV
(CGS § 13b-68). The law requires specified tax revenue (e.g., fuel taxes
and a portion of sales and use tax revenue) and various transportation-
related fees, fines, and charges to be credited to the STF.
Both the state constitution and the general statutes contain a
“lockbox” provision, which preserves the STF as a perpetual fund,
requires that it be used exclusively for transportation purposes,
including paying transportation-related debt, and requires that any
funding sources directed to the STF by law continue to be directed
there, as long as the law authorizes the state to collect or receive them
(Conn. Const., art. III, § 19; CGS § 13b-68(b)).
Highway Work Zone Safety Advisory Council
The six-member council is made up of the DOT, DMV, and
emergency services and public protection commissioners, or their
designees; the presidents of Connecticut Employees Union
Independent and the state police union, or their designees; and a
representative of Connecticut Construction Industries Association. The
council is charged with making ongoing recommendations to improve 2021HB-05429-R000083-BA.docx
Researcher: HP Page 19 3/18/21
safety for workers, public safety officers, and drivers in highway work
zones (CGS § 14-212e).
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 34 Nay 0 (03/03/2021)