In Connecticut, as well as 46 other states, it is against the law to text while you are driving. Connecticut bans the use of any handheld electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. These laws fall under the distracted driving regulations. When people hear “distracted driving” they often think of using their cell phones, when in actuality, it is any non-driving activity a person engages in while operating a motor vehicle.
Distracted driving falls into three categories:
Visual – taking your eyes off the road;
Manual – taking your hands off the wheel; and
Cognitive – taking your attention away from driving.
These three categories of distracted driving encompass any activity, from playing with the radio, applying makeup, eating food, turning around to yell at your children in the backseat – anything that takes your attention away from operating that motor vehicle.
Handsfree devices, commonly referred to as Bluetooth speakers, are generally allowed, as long as they are truly handsfree. Holding your phone on speaker mode does not qualify, and using your phone to dial or accept the call also violates the distracted driving laws.
Drivers under 18 years of age
Drivers under the age of 18 and school bus drivers are not allowed to use any electronic device while driving, even in the form of handsfree or Bluetooth. If a driver under 18 is found guilty of distracted driving they will have their license suspended for 30 days and face a $125 fee to restore the license, while a second or subsequent offense carries a license suspension until the driver turns 18, or 6 months, whichever is longer, and a $125 fee to restore the license.
A common myth in Connecticut is that the Law Enforcement can only pull you over for distracted driving when you have committed another offense first, such as failure to signal a turn. Distracted driving is a primary offense in Connecticut. This means that Law Enforcement can pull you over for any of these offenses on their own.
Penalties for Distracted Driving in Connecticut
A person who violates the distracted driving laws faces a $150 penalty for their first offense, a second offense carries a $300 penalty, while the third and any other offenses comes with a $500 penalty. In addition to the financial burden this comes with, drivers may face points on their license, and once enough of those are accumulated people run the risk of losing their driving privilege in the State.
Depending on the circumstances of the incident, distracted driving can result in a reckless driving charge, and if as a driver you violated these laws and caused the death of another person, a negligent homicide charge is also possible.
If you have been cited for Distracted Driving
If you are cited for distracted driving in Connecticut, you may be able to fight the charge. Start by making notes of everything you recall from the time you were pulled over, gather any information you can that can substantiate your defense, and contact this office for a free consultation. We will evaluate your case and give you honest feedback as to your chances of defending this charge.