Connecticut distracted driving restrictions: a primer

If you are reading this post, it may be because you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver. Or perhaps it was someone in your family who was injured.

It could also be that you are simply interested in how Connecticut and other states have responded to the challenge of digitally distracted drivers. In recent years, states have passed various restrictions on the use of cellphones and other devices behind the wheel.

For any of these reasons, and for others besides, it is important to know the basics of Connecticut law on distracted driving. In this post, we will provide a basic reminder of Connecticut’s restrictions on cellphone use and texting while driving.

First of all, it should be noted that Connecticut bans the use of handheld cellphones for all drivers. The law imposing this restriction is enforced as a primary law. This means that police do not have to wait for another violation in order to pull someone over for talking on a cellphone while driving.

Of course, many safety experts believe that hands-free cellphone use while driving is dangerous as well. And Connecticut does place a ban on both handheld and hands-free cellphone use by bus drivers. This ban is enforced as a primary law.

In addition, Connecticut prohibits texting while driving for all drivers. Again, the prohibition is enforced as a primary law.

Finally, Connecticut also imposes restrictions on cellphones by novice drivers, as summarized here, a novice is defined as someone under 18 or who has a learner’s permit.

Source: Distraction.gov, “State Laws,” Accessed March 14, 2014