Rep. Camillo Champions Distracted Driving Bill

HARTFORD — Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151) lead the charge Thursday night to take the first step in cracking down on Connecticut’s distracted driving laws. The Bill, “An Act Considering Motor Vehicle Insurance Providers and Distracted Driving,” passed the House almost unanimously. The legislation takes a three-pronged approach to addressing this dangerous activity by: • Establishing a task force to prevent distracted driving and help improve enforcement of current laws given the new advancements of mobile technology; • Increasing the fine for a first distracted driving violation from $100 to $150; a second violation from $150 to $300; and a third violation from $200 to $500; • Changing the infraction level of a distracted driving violation to be a moving violation and creates a point system for offenses that will affect the violator’s car insurance premium; “I was struck by a distracted driver in 2008. While I was lucky to escape with only soreness and a damaged vehicle, a man jogging in Norwalk last year was not so lucky. Distracted Driving has become the number one health and safety hazard on our roads and highways. I was proud to work on this important legislation with Reps. David Scribner and Tony Guerrera. This legislation will place Connecticut as a national leader in road and highway safety,” said Rep. Camillo. Rep. Camillo worked alongside Ranking Member on Transportation, Rep. David Scribner (R-107), and Chairman of Transportation, Rep. Tony Guerrera (D-29) to help craft and introduce the legislation. Rep. Camillo’s inspiration came from a girl whose boyfriend was struck and killed last March in Norwalk by a distracted driver. “With the rise of technology, distracted driving is not only a problem in Connecticut, but across the country. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an additional, 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. I hope that these new laws will serve as a model for other states so we can see those numbers decrease on a national basis,” said Rep. Camillo. The bill (H.B. 6033) passed the House with a vote of 138-1. It will now progress to the Senate and if passed will head to the Governor’s desk for his signature. The bill could potentially go into effect as early as October 1st 2013.