Keeping children safe on the road takes all of us. Whether your child is riding in the car, walking to school, biking around the neighborhood or learning to drive, knowing the rules and practicing safe habits can help prevent injuries.
Several new Connecticut road safety laws take effect today. Here are a few changes families and drivers should know:
Put the phone away
Drivers can no longer hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body while driving. The law also prohibits watching videos or other moving images while driving on a phone or visible vehicle screen, with some exceptions such as navigation and backup cameras.
Fines are $200 for a first offense, $375 for a second and $625 for a third or subsequent offense.
Slow down in work zones
A distracted driving violation in an active highway work zone can now be charged as reckless driving.
Work zones can change quickly, so slow down, follow signs and give yourself extra time and space to react.
Stop for school buses
When a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing, drivers must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing. Under the new law, drivers who are cited for a third or subsequent violation will also face a mandatory six-month license suspension.
Follow the rules of the road
New rules also clarify when drivers can use the left lane on certain limited-access highways. In general, drivers should use the left lane to pass and return to the right when it is safe to do so.
Talk about road safety as a family
If you have a teen driver at home, now is a good opportunity to talk about these changes and reinforce safe driving habits. For younger children, adults can model those same habits every day.
At Connecticut Children’s, keeping kids safe includes helping families prevent injuries on the road. The Injury Prevention Center offers resources and programs focused on injury prevention and safety for children and families.
Watch for Me CT, a program of the Injury Prevention Center, focuses on pedestrian and bicycle safety, with resources for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists to help everyone share the road safely.
Looking for more ways to keep your family safe? Visit the Injury Prevention Center and Watch for Me CT websites for more information and safety resources.