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OLR Bill Analysis
sSB 1375
AN ACT CONCERNING HIGHWAY, PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST
SAFETY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
SUMMARY
§ 1 — FAILURE TO YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS
Increases, from $500 to $750, the penalty for failure to yield to pedestrians and other related
violations
§ 2 — DRIVING IN EXTREME LEFT LANE ON LIMITED ACCESS
HIGHWAYS
Extends prohibition on driving in the extreme left lane on limited access highways with more
than two lanes going in the same direction to all vehicles, with certain exceptions
§ 3 — MOTORCYCLE HEL METS
Increases, from age 18 to 21, the age under which all motorcycle and motor-driven cycle
drivers and passengers must wear a helmet
§ 4 — DISTRACTED DRIVING
Modifies the distracted driving law by explicitly prohibiting watching or playing a video while
driving, including on an installed screen or other visual display
§ 5 — OPEN CONTAINERS IN MOTOR VEHICLES
Generally prohibits drinking from or possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in a
motor vehicle’s passenger area, with exceptions for for-hire transportation and RVs
§ 6 — HELMET REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN RIDING BICYCLES
AND SIMILAR VEHICLES
Increases, from age 16 to age 18, the age under which children must wear a helmet while riding
a bicycle, electric bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or electric foot scooter or while
using roller skates or roller blades
§ 7 — COMPLETE STREETS IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT
Requires DOT to assign employees to support the adoption of Complete Streets standards or
policies throughout the state
§ 8 — INTELLIGENT SPEED ASSISTANCE DEVICES STUDY
Requires the Vision Zero Council and the chief state’s attorney to jointly study, and make
recommendations on, the feasibility of addressing speeding and reckless driving with intelligent
speed assistance devices 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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§ 9 — OPERATOR’S RETRAINING PROGRAM AND RECKLESS
DRIVING
Requires drivers to attend an operator’s retraining program upon their first conviction of
reckless driving
§ 10 — CHEAPR ADAPTIVE E-BIKE INCENTIVES
Exempts adaptive e-bikes from the $3,000 MSRP cap and adds residents with physical
disabilities to the list of residents who must get priority for vouchers
BACKGROUND
SUMMARY
This bill makes various changes related to open alcoholic beverage
containers in motor vehicles, helmet requirements, distracted driving,
reckless driving, failure to yield to pedestrians, left lane driving,
adaptive e-bikes, and Complete Streets.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025, except the (1) Connecticut
Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) and
Complete Streets provisions are effective July 1, 2025, and (2) speed
assistance device study is effective upon passage.
§ 1 — FAILURE TO YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS
Increases, from $500 to $750, the penalty for failure to yield to pedestrians and other
related violations
The bill increases, from $500 to $750, the maximum fine for drivers
who:
1. fail to yield (or slow down and stop if necessary) to a pedestrian
who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk or is at the curb
indicating intent to cross;
2. pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian
to cross; or
3. fail to slow down when approaching and yield to a pedestrian (a)
who is blind and carrying a white cane or a red tipped white cane
or (b) being guided by a service animal.
§ 2 — DRIVING IN EXTREME LEFT LANE ON LI MITED ACCESS
HIGHWAYS 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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Extends prohibition on driving in the extreme left lane on limited access highways with
more than two lanes going in the same direction to all vehicles, with certain exceptions
By law, all vehicles must be driven on the right, with certain
exceptions such as passing and on highways divided into three or more
lanes (CGS § 14-230(a)).
Current law prohibits, with certain exceptions, motor vehicles with
commercial registrations, motor buses, vehicles with trailers, and school
buses from driving in the extreme left lane on limited access highways
with three or more lanes going in the same direction. The bill prohibits
driving any other motor vehicle in the extreme left lane on these
highways.
The bill’s prohibition does not apply to vehicles driving in the
extreme left lane (1) to pass; (2) on a police officer’s direction; (3) when
the entrance or exit is on the right (only for the time period necessary to
enter or exit); (4) when the vehicle is an emergency vehicle; (5) when
maintaining, repairing, or constructing the highway; or (5) when traffic
congestion makes it necessary. It also does not apply to emergency
vehicles. Under current law, the prohibition on vehicles with
commercial registration and other vehicles does not apply (1) when
directed to drive in the extreme left by a police officer or (2) when the
entrance or exit is on the left (only for the necessary time period).
Violations of the bill’s prohibition are infractions, subject to a fine of
$85.
§ 3 — MOTORCYCLE HEL METS
Increases, from age 18 to 21, the age under which all motorcycle and motor-driven cycle
drivers and passengers must wear a helmet
The bill increases, from age 18 to 21, the age under which all
motorcycle and motor-driven cycle drivers and passengers must wear a
helmet meeting federal helmet safety standards. Current law only
requires helmets for (1) drivers and passengers under age 18 and (2)
motorcycle instruction permit holders of any age (CGS § 14-40a).
Under the bill, as under existing law, violations of the helmet
requirement are infractions (see BACKGROUND) and subject to the $90 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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fine that applies under current law to drivers and passengers under age
18. By law, unchanged by the bill, a first offense by a motorcycle
instruction permit holder is an infraction and subject to a $50 fine, and
a subsequent offense is a class D misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to
$250, up to 30 days in prison, or both.
By law, a motor-driven cycle is a motorcycle, motor scooter, or bicycle
with an attached motor (except an electric bicycle) that has a (1) seat
height of at least 26 inches and (2) motor with a piston displacement
under 50 cubic centimeters (cc). As under current law, the helmet
requirement does not apply to autocycles.
§ 4 — DISTRACTED DRIVING
Modifies the distracted driving law by explicitly prohibiting watching or playing a video
while driving, including on an installed screen or other visual display
The bill modifies the distracted driving law by explicitly prohibiting
watching or playing a video on a mobile electronic device while driving.
It also expands the definition of “mobile electronic device” to include
any installed screen, monitor, or other visual display.
As under existing law, mobile electronic device also includes
handheld or portable electronic equipment capable of providing data
communication between two or more people, including (1) a text
messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, or a
laptop computer; (2) equipment that plays video games or digital video
disks; and (3) equipment that takes or transmits digital photos. It does
not include audio equipment or equipment installed to provide
navigation, emergency assistance to the driver, or video entertainment
to rear passengers.
By law, the fine for distracted driving is (1) $200 for the first violation,
(2) $375 for the second violation, and (3) $625 for the third or subsequent
violation.
§ 5 — OPEN CONTAINER S IN MOTOR VEHICLES
Generally prohibits drinking from or possessing an open alcoholic beverage container in a
motor vehicle’s passenger area, with exceptions for for-hire transportation and RVs
The bill prohibits consuming or possessing an open alcoholic 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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beverage container in a motor vehicle’s “passenger area” while the
vehicle is on a public road. An open alcoholic beverage container is a
bottle, can, or other receptacle that contains an alcoholic beverage and
is either (1) open or has a broken seal or (2) partially empty. Under
federal law, states must adopt an open container prohibition or face
fiscal penalties (see BACKGROUND ).
The bill’s prohibition does not apply to passengers in (1) vehicles
designed, maintained, and primarily used as for-hire passenger
transportation, including taxis, motor buses, and livery vehicles (e.g.,
limousines) or (2) a recreational vehicle’s (RV) living quarters.
Violations of the bill’s provisions are infractions (see
BACKGROUND). Under existing law, drivers who drink an alcoholic
beverage while driving are guilty of a class C misdemeanor (punishable
by up to three months in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both) (CGS §
53a-213).
Passenger Area
The bill’s open container prohibition applies to occupants of a
vehicle’s passenger area, which is (1) the area designed to seat the driver
and any passenger while the vehicle is moving and (2) any area that is
readily accessible to the driver or a passenger while sitting. It does not
include (1) locked containers (such as glove compartments or consoles);
(2) the trunk; or (3) in motor vehicles without trunks, the area behind
the last upright seat or any area not normally occupied by a driver or
passenger.
§ 6 — HELMET REQUIRE MENTS FOR CHILDREN RIDIN G
BICYCLES AND SIMILAR VEHICLES
Increases, from age 16 to age 18, the age under which children must wear a helmet while
riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or electric foot scooter
or while using roller skates or roller blades
The bill increases, from age 16 to age 18, the age under which children
must wear a helmet while (1) riding a bicycle, electric bicycle,
nonmotorized scooter, skateboard, or electric foot scooter or (2) using
roller skates or roller blades. 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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Under existing law, unchanged by the bill, this requirement applies
while riding these vehicles on the traveled portion of a road and at any
park or skateboarding park. As under existing law, helmets must meet
the minimum specifications established by the American National
Standards Institute, the United States Consumer Product Safety
Commission, the American Society for Testing and Materials or the Snell
Memorial Foundation’s Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in
Bicycling.
By law, failure to wear a helmet is not considered a violation or an
offense and cannot be considered contributory negligence by a parent
or a child or be admissible in any civil action. Law enforcement officers
may issue a verbal warning to a child’s parent or guardian that the child
is not complying with the requirement.
§ 7 — COMPLETE STREE TS IMPLEMENTATION SU PPORT
Requires DOT to assign employees to support the adoption of Complete Streets standards
or policies throughout the state
The bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to assign
employees to support the adoption of Complete Streets standards or
policies throughout the state. The support must include administering
grants and giving incentives to municipalities to finalize projects or
prioritization plans that incorporate Complete Streets standards or
policies.
The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known
as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, defines Complete Streets
standards or policies as those that ensure the safe and adequate
accommodation of all users of the transportation system, including
pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, children, older
individuals, individuals with disabilities, motorists, and freight vehicles
(P.L. 117-58, § 11206). IIJA requires states and metropolitan planning
organizations to use a portion of their planning and research funds for
Complete Streets activities.
§ 8 — INTELLIGENT SPEED ASSISTANCE DEVIC ES STUDY 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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Requires the Vision Zero Council and the chief state’s attorney to jointly study, and make
recommendations on, the feasibility of addressing speeding and reckless driving with
intelligent speed assistance devices
The bill requires the Vision Zero Council (see BACKGROUND) and
the chief state’s attorney to jointly study, and make recommendations
on, the feasibility of addressing speeding and reckless driving with
devices that actively monitor and limit a vehicle’s speed based on the
speed limit where the vehicle is being operated (i.e. intelligent speed
assistance devices). In preparing the study, the bill allows them to
partner with a higher education institution or national transportation
research entity. They must submit their findings and recommendations
to the Transportation Committee by January 15, 2026.
Under the bill, the study must, at a minimum:
1. determine if there is enough evidence to show whether the
devices change driving behavior and improve road safety;
2. consider the different types of devices and their availability, as
well as estimate installation and maintenance costs to the driver
and to the state; and
3. examine the devices’ accuracy and reliability in unsupervised
environments and whether they can produce evidence that they
have not been bypassed, circumvented, or tampered with.
If the study recommends using the devices in the state, it must also:
1. identify whether installing the device would be (a) mandatory or
discretionary and (b) instead of, or in addition to, a penalty or
license suspension;
2. indicate the types and number of violations that would require
or permit use of the device;
3. discuss whether any installation requirement should apply
differently based on the driver’s age or driving history; and
4. outline necessary components of a regulatory framework that 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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would be needed to ensure devices were used accurately and
properly.
§ 9 — OPERATOR’S RET RAINING PROGRAM AND RECKLESS
DRIVING
Requires drivers to attend an operator’s retraining program upon their first conviction of
reckless driving
The bill requires drivers to attend an operator’s retraining program
upon their first conviction of reckless driving. Under current law,
reckless driving is considered a “moving violation” for purposes of the
operator’s retraining program. The motor vehicles commissioner may
(and does, in practice) require drivers convicted of three moving or
suspension violations (or two, for drivers under age 25) to attend the
operator’s retraining program.
By law, the program completion date stays on a driver’s record until
36 months have passed without the driver committing any more
moving or suspension violations. If the driver commits another moving
or suspension violation during that period, the commissioner must
suspend the person’s driver’s license or operating privilege for (1) 30
days upon a first conviction, (2) 60 days upon a second conviction, and
(3) 90 days upon a third or subsequent violation.
§ 10 — CHEAPR ADAPTIVE E-BIKE INCENTIVES
Exempts adaptive e-bikes from the $3,000 MSRP cap and adds residents with physical
disabilities to the list of residents who must get priority for vouchers
This bill exempts adaptive e-bikes from the $3,000 manufacturer’s
suggested retail price (MSRP) cap for the CHEAPR e-bike voucher
program, which applies by law until June 30, 2027. Under current law,
an e-bike’s MSRP must be under the cap to be eligible for a voucher
under the program; under the bill, adaptive e-bikes with MSRPs above
that amount are eligible for a voucher if they are to be used by a resident
with a disability.
By law, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
(DEEP) administers the e-bike voucher program as part of CHEAPR.
The law generally requires DEEP to set most of the program’s
parameters administratively, including eligibility and voucher 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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amounts, but it (1) sets a minimum voucher amount at $500 and (2)
requires DEEP to give priority for vouchers to environmental justice
community residents, those with incomes of no more than 300% of the
poverty level, and those who participate in certain state and federal
assistance programs. The bill adds residents with physical disabilities to
the list of residents who must get priority for vouchers.
BACKGROUND
Federal Open Container Law Requirement
Federal law requires states to adopt an open container law that meets
federal compliance criteria (23 U.S.C. § 154). To comply, the state law
must apply to (1) possession and consumption, (2) the entire passenger
area, (3) all alcoholic beverages, (4) all occupants, and (5) all motor
vehicles. It must also provide for primary enforcement, meaning that
law enforcement may issue a citation upon observing someone violating
the law. It allows states to provide exceptions for (1) open containers
stored in a locked container or, in vehicles without trunks, behind the
last seat and (2) passengers in a for-hire transportation vehicle or an
RV’s living quarters (23 C.F.R. § 1270.4).
States without a compliant law must transfer 2.5% of their annual
apportionment under specified highway construction programs (the
National Highway Performance Program and the Surface
Transportation Block Grant Program) to specified traffic safety
programs (the 402 Highway Safety DUI Countermeasures Program or
the Hazard Elimination Program) (23 C.F.R. § 1270.6).
Infractions
Infractions are punishable by fines, usually set by Superior Court
judges, of between $35 and $90, plus a $20 or $35 surcharge and an
additional fee based on the fine’s amount. There may also be other
applicable charges depending on the type of infraction. For example,
certain motor vehicle infractions trigger a Special Transportation Fund
surcharge of 50% of the fine. An infraction is not a crime and violators
can generally pay the fine by mail without making a court appearance.
Vision Zero Council 2025SB-01375-R000540-BA.DOCX
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PA 21-28, § 2, established the Vision Zero Council and charged it with
developing a statewide policy and interagency approach to eliminating
all transportation-related fatalities and severe injuries to pedestrians,
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.
By law, the council is composed of the DOT, Department of Public
Health, and Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
commissioners and any other agency commissioners they invite. The
council may establish committees to advise it in carrying out its duties.
Related Bills
sSB 6862, favorably reported by the Transportation Committee,
modifies the definition of motor-driven cycle and helmet requirements
pertaining to e-bikes.
sHB 7060, favorably reported by the Transportation Committee,
makes violating the distracted driving law on a limited access highway
a reckless driving violation.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Transportation Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 25 Nay 9 (03/19/2025)