As of October 1, if motorists are stopped at a traffic light, a stop sign or in a traffic jam, it will be illegal to use a hand held device; and you will be subject increased fines and points on your license.
Chief Anthony Salvatore, of the Cromwell Police Department, says, “It’s taking the operator away from the primary function of what they’re doing behind that wheel, and that’s operating that motor vehicle.”
Now, doing things like drinking, eating or other things, while driving, that can lead you to be distracted, are also punishable offenses. That will be at an officers discretion.
Chief Salvatore, the legislative co-chairman of the Connecticut Police Chiefs association, has a suggestion for drivers who are tempted to not adhere to the new law.
“Put the phone somewhere where it’s not accessible, or just turn it off until your done operating a motor vehicle,” added Salvatore.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute says sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds…the equivalent, at 55 miles per hour, of traveling the length of a football field blind.