​Connecticut DOT Reminds Residents to Put Down Cell Phone

Naugatuck, CT – The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Office has announced the second wave of the “U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY” campaign. Through this initiative, officers will be cracking down on motorists who text, talk, or distract themselves with a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Law Enforcement Officers from all over the state will be out in full force August 1, 2019 to August 15, 2019 for the campaign, which is a national, high-visibility effort to enforce distracted driving laws. Distracted drivers aren’t just a threat to themselves; they’re a danger to everyone else on the road. Texting has become one of the most common, pervasive forms of distracted driving, and too many drivers are succumbing to this deadly and illegal habit. Law enforcement officers will be showing zero tolerance for distracted driving violations in order to put an end to all forms of distracted driving and save lives. During the first wave of the campaign in April 2019 more than 10,000 citations were issued to motorists. Learn more about the numbers involved in this dangerous trend.

The following data is provided via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):
✓ Between 2012-2017, nearly 20,000 people died in crashes where a distracted driver was directly involved.
✓ Distracted driving related fatalities comprised 9.5% of all fatal crashes for the last 6 years (2012-2017).
✓ In 2017, 8% of people killed in teen (15-19) driving crashes, died when teen drivers were distracted at the times of the crashes.
✓ Handheld cell phone use while driving is highest among 15 to 29-year-old drivers, but female drivers are most at risk for being involved in a fatal crash involving a distracted driver.
✓ Female drivers with a cell phone have been more likely to be involved in fatal distracted driving crashes as compared to male drivers every year since 2012.
Remind your friends and family don’t text and drive, because distracted driving could cost them more than a fine. Speak up! Even if you are a passenger in a car where the driver is distracted, tell them to stop. Remember, when you get behind the wheel, put your phone away. U DRIVE. U TEXT. U PAY.

Fines in Connecticut for violations;
$ Begin at $150 for a first offense,
$$ Increase to $300 for a second offense,
$$$ With Subsequent violations at $500 per violation.