CT New laws Breakdown 

DMV- Effective October 1, 2013

Adult & Teenager 8 Hrs Safe Driving Practice
Program Course Will Increase From $125.00 To $150.00 

Call for our special price.

CONNECTICUT CELL PHONE LAWS  
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2013

Hand-held cell phones or mobile electronic devices may not be used while operating a motor vehicle on any public highway. State law also prohibits using these devices when a vehicle is temporarily stopped because of traffic, road conditions or a traffic control sign or signal.  You may use your cell phone or mobile electronic devices if parked safely on the side or shoulder of a highway.  Drivers are permitted only to use hands-free mobile telephone accessories. However, drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are not permitted to use any type of cell phone or mobile electronic device, including a hands-free device.  A “mobile electronic device” includes a laptop computer, personal digital assistant or paging or text-messaging device.

The exceptions to this requirement, where a cell phone or mobile electronic device may be used, by a driver of any age, is an emergency situation, when contacting an emergency response operator, a hospital, physician’s office, health clinic, ambulance company or fire or police department. In addition, drivers who are 18 years of age and older who are peace officers, firefighters, or ambulance drivers may use hand-held cell phones and electronic devices.

Any 16- or 17-year old found violating Connecticut’s cell phone law will be charged with a moving violation. If an operator is under the age of 18, a conviction for violating the cell phone law will result in a license suspension. If an operator is under age 18, it is also a moving violation, which is counted when determining if attendance is required in the operator retraining program.

Work Zones

A work zone is any type of roadwork that may delay traffic conditions.  Many work zones involve lane closures and detours.  Moving equipment such as sweepers, line-painting trucks, mowing equipment and heavy machinery are common in work zones.  Highway work zones are set up according to the type of road and the work to be done on the road.  The work zone can be long or short term and can exist at anytime of the year, but most commonly in the summer.

Work zones on U.S. highways have become increasingly dangerous places for both workers and drivers.  Approximately 40,000 people per year are injured as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.  There are a large number of work zones in place across America, therefore, highway agencies are working on not only improving devices used in work zones, but to change the behavior of drivers so crashes can be prevented.

When approaching a work zone watch for materials such as cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, or workers in bright colored vests to warn you and direct you where to go.  All temporary signs in work zones have an orange background and black letters or symbols.  These signs will be found on the right side of the road, or on both left and right sides when the roadway is a divided highway.  The signs tell you what to do and how soon you will encounter the work zone. 

Most work zones also have signs alerting you to reductions in the speed limit through the work zone.  These speed reductions are necessary for the safety of the workers and motorists.  The reduced speed limits are clearly posted within the work zone and if there are no reduced speed limit signs, you should obey the normal posted speed limit. 

In Connecticut, anyone convicted of speeding, disobeying traffic control devices, using an improper lane or endangering a highway worker within a work zone could face fines of up to $1,000, can be accessed points against his or her driver’s license and may be required to complete the driver retraining program.  In addition, distracted driving fines are doubled for anyone convicted of illegally using a hand-held cellphone or mobile electronic device while driving in a work zone. 

Signing, traffic control devices, roadway markings, flaggers and law enforcement officers are used to protect highway workers and to direct drivers safely through work zones or along marked detours.  As a driver, you should learn and abide by the following safety tips for driving in work zones:

• Slow down, obey posted speed limits and be alert to conditions around you.  Workers could be present.
• Follow the instructions on the work zone warning signs and those given by flaggers.
• Do not become oblivious to work zone signs when the work is long term or widespread.
• Be aware that traffic patterns in work zones can change daily including lane shifts or alternating lane closures.
• Use extreme caution when driving through a work zone at night whether workers are present or not.
• Watch the traffic around you and be prepared to react to what the traffic is doing.  Check for tail and brake lights of vehicles ahead of you for indications of what is happening on the road ahead.  Be ready to respond quickly.
• Merge as soon as possible.  Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by moving to the appropriate lane at first notice of an approaching work zone. 
• Adjust your lane position away from the side where workers and equipment are located when possible. 
• Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and traffic barriers, trucks, construction equipment and workers.  Increase your following distance.  Do not tailgate.
• Some work zones, such as line painting, road patching and mowing are mobile.  Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning sign does not mean they are not out there.  Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says “End Road Work.”
• Concentrate when driving through work zones.  Pay attention to your surroundings and do not become distracted from cell phones, changing the radio station or applying make-up.
• When you can, avoid work zones altogether by using alternate routes.
• Expect delays, plan for them and leave early to reach your destination on time.
• Calm down.  Work zones are not there to inconvenience you.  They are there to improve the roads for everyone.

Driver Distractions

A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving.  Driver distractions may occur anytime and anywhere.  Distracted driving can cause collisions, resulting in injury, death or property damage.  Costs associated with such crashes, including those resulting from criminal and civil lawsuits can be extremely high.  Taking your eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel presents obvious driving risks.  Mental activities that take your mind away from driving are just as dangerous.  Your eyes can gaze at objects but fail to see them because your mind is thinking of something else.

Possible distractions that could occur inside a moving vehicle:

• Dialing numbers or talking on a cell phone
• Adjusting radio, compact disc or climate controls
• Using global positioning systems (GPS) or navigation systems
• Using digital video disc (DVD) players
• Using the dashboard control panel
• Grooming (shaving, applying makeup, combing hair, etc.)
• Talking to passengers
• Attending to children or pets in the vehicle
• Eating, drinking or smoking
• Reading maps or other literature
• Picking up something that fell

Possible distractions that could occur outside a moving vehicle:

• Outside traffic/vehicle
• Police pulling someone over
• Sunlight/sunset
• People/objects in roadway
• Crash scene
• Road construction
• Reading billboards or other road advertisements

There are things you can do to keep from getting distracted:

• Avoid arguments and stressful or emotional conversations with passengers that may distract your attention from the road.
• Instead of eating while driving, leave a little early to allow yourself time to stop to eat.
• Be sure children are properly and safely buckled up and give them books, toys or games to occupy their time.
• Properly secure pets in a pet carrier or portable kennel before moving your vehicle.
• Adjust vehicle controls before you begin your trip, take advantage of normal stops to adjust controls or ask your passenger to adjust controls.
• Do not look at something in the distance.  Those things are never more important than concentrating on your immediate path of travel.
• Review maps and plan your route before you begin driving.  If you need to look at a map while driving stop in a safe parking area. 
• Do not talk with friends in other vehicles or wear headphones to listen to music.   These can be deadly when combined with driving.                         
• Stay focused, pay attention, and expect the unexpected.

You also need to be able to recognize other drivers who are distracted.  Not recognizing other distracted drivers can prevent you from perceiving or reacting correctly in time to prevent a crash.  Watch for:

• Vehicles that may drift over the lane divider lines or within their own lane
• Vehicles traveling at inconsistent speeds
• Drivers who are busy with objects, such as maps, food, cigarettes or cell phones
• Drivers who appear to be involved in arguments with other passengers
• Drivers of slow moving or commercial vehicles

Give a distracted driver plenty of room and maintain a safe following distance of 3 to 4 seconds.  Be very careful when passing a driver who seems to be distracted.  The other driver may not be aware of your presence, and he/she may drift in front of you.

You must maintain your attention to the driving task.  You are completely and solely responsible for operating your vehicle in a safe manner.  This includes the responsibility for controlling everything that occurs within the vehicle as well.  If you are distracted and you experience a crash, the responsibility falls on you, not the distraction. 

Effective June 6, 2001
Up Date On August 1, 2008

Effective October 1, 2008
Two Hour Parent Training

• All student over the age of eighteen (18)
• must complete a minimum of two (2) hours of behind the wheel instruction, to issue a driver's education certificate CS-1

• Two Hour Parent Training
• The parent or guardian of a 16/17 year old, Learner Permit holder is required to take a two hour parent training session with their teen, which is now included in the Eight Hour Course Of Safe Driving Practice Program.    

All Adult " First Time" Drivers -October 1, 2008

Anyone 18 years of age or older must obtain an adult learner’s permit before obtaining a driver's license.

The adult learner’s permit must be held for at least 90 days prior to taking the on-the-road skills test and is required to practice driving on the road.

What to do:

•  Study Connecticut Driver's Manual to prepare for 25-question knowledge test.

What it will cost:

• $40 testing fee – covers vision, knowledge and road tests,
• $19 for learner's permit.     

An adult learner’s permit is valid for two years.  

• The knowledge test will consist of 25 question and you need 20 correct answers to Pass. After passing the law test you will be given a time and date to return back for the Road Test at the same D.M.V. Location.
• All adults ( 18 Years and older )  who have never held a license in Connecticut or any other state MUST take an Eight hour Course Of Safe Driving Practice Program, prior to be Tested by DMV Or by Connecticut Driving School Off-Site Testing Program.