Researcher: GM Page 1 4/13/21
OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 983
AN ACT CONCERNING SLOWING DOWN FOR SERVICE
VEHICLES.
SUMMARY
Existing law generally requires a driver of a vehicle passing another
vehicle traveling in the same direction to (1) pass on the left at a safe
distance and (2) not move right until safely clear of the overtaken
vehicle (CGS § 14-232). This bill requires drivers passing a stationary
or slow-moving service vehicle to also immediately reduce their
vehicles’ speed to a reasonable level below the posted speed limit.
Under the bill, these requirements do not apply in situations when the
driver is lawfully passing on the right or in a no-passing zone (CGS §§
14-233 & 14-234).
Under the bill, drivers must be issued a warning for violations of
the bill’s requirements occurring within the first nine months after the
bill takes effect (until June 30, 2022); violations occurring after that date
are an infraction.
The bill defines a “service vehicle” as a (1) commercial motor
vehicle equipped with a garbage compactor, detachable container, or
curbside recycling body; (2) tank vehicle; (3) vehicle authorized by the
U.S. government to carry mail; or (4) vehicle operated by an express
delivery carrier. By law, a “tank vehicle” is a commercial motor vehicle
with a permanently or temporarily attached tank designed to transport
liquid or gaseous material, but not a vehicle with a portable tank that
has a rated capacity of 1,000 gallons or less (CGS § 14-1(97)).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee 2021SB-00983-R000426-BA.DOCX
Researcher: GM Page 2 4/13/21
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 35 Nay 0 (03/24/2021)