In the Connecticut Senate, Advocates supports provisions in House Bill (HB) 5464 to curb distracted driving.
To meaningfully address the prevalence and dangers of distracted driving, visual, manual and cognitive distractions should be restricted for drivers. HB 5464 would update the law to reflect technological advances in mobile electronic device capability and usage. Specifically, the legislation expands the scope of the texting ban, adds equipment used to play videos or moving images to the list of devices covered by the law and prohibits the watching of videos and moving images while driving. Additionally, the bill bans holding or physically supporting a mobile electronic device while driving. These actions are consistent with the recommendations of Using Electronic Devices While Driving: Legislations and Enforcement Implications, by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) which comprehensively reviewed the issue of distracted driving and state of distracted driving laws. The report identifies key components in a model distracted driving law including:
- Provisions that prohibit handheld use of devices and visually distracting uses including the use of “an electronic device to stream, record, or broadcast video.” This includes when the device is used hands-free.
- A ban on holding or supporting an electronic device.
Read the full letter here.
We previously advocated for distracted driving upgrades in Connecticut in a March letter to the Joint Committee on Judiciary.