Connecticut Senate Bill SB00691

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/21
• Refer: 1/28/21

Caption

An Act Concerning The Penalties For Passing A School Bus.

Impact

The proposed amendments to subsection (b) of section 14-279 reflect an effort to enhance traffic safety, particularly in school zones. By increasing the financial penalties and the duration of license suspensions, the bill aims to safeguard children from the dangers posed by reckless drivers. The law would not only serve as a deterrent but also emphasize the moral obligation of drivers to ensure the safety of students as they board and exit school buses. Additionally, the legislation would maintain the critical importance of adherence to traffic laws designed to protect pedestrians.

Summary

SB00691 proposes significant changes to the penalties associated with passing a school bus illegally. The bill seeks to intensify the consequences for offenders by introducing a tiered penalty system. For a first offense, the bill raises the penalty to a one-thousand-dollar fine and a sixty-day suspension of the motor vehicle operator’s license. In cases of repeat offenses, the proposed law seeks to impose a two-thousand-dollar fine and a six-month suspension of the motor vehicle operator’s license. This reflects an increased commitment to maintaining safety for schoolchildren and deterring negligent driving behaviors around school buses.

Contention

Opponents of the bill may raise concerns about the increased financial burden on offenders, arguing that the penalties could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals. There may also be discussions regarding how these increased penalties might impact the judicial system, given that higher fines could result in more contested cases in court. Furthermore, the provision to remit fifty percent of the fines to local or regional school districts could lead to debates over its implementation and the potential for uneven distribution of resources among various districts, thus influencing community perceptions of fairness in enforcement.