New Canaan Police To Ramp-Up Enforcement For Distracted Driving

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan police will take part in a statewide distracted driving enforcement campaign.

According to a news release provided by police, the Connecticut Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office, in partnership with state and local law enforcement, will step up enforcement efforts to enforce distracted driving laws from Oct. 15-31.

"A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone," state DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said in a news release. "Starting Oct. 15, the community will see an increased and highly visible law enforcement presence on our roadways as officers will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is driving distracted."

Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads.

According to data provided by New Canaan police, approximately 660,000 drivers at any given moment across America are using or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady for more than a decade.

In Connecticut, there were 5,432 crashes attributed to distracted driving in 2021, according to police.

"There are far too many drivers engaged with electronic devices," Giulietti said. "It's wrong and unlawful. No message is so critical that it's worth putting lives at risk."

According to police, Connecticut law prohibits the use of any hand-held mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers who are 16 or 17 years of age are prohibited from using a cell phone or mobile device at any time, even with a hands-free accessory.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation urges you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. If you need to text, pull over and park your vehicle in a safe place first.

According to police, drivers who are ticketed are fined $200 for the first offense, $375 for the second offense and $625 for the third and subsequent offenses.

More information is available at nhtsa.gov.