West Hartford Police Begin Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign
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West Hartford Police Department hybrid SUV. Courtesy photo (we-ha.com file photo)
The West Hartford Police Department is participating in a statewide campaign to enforce distracted driving laws.
By Ronni Newton
A statewide “Distracted Driving High Visibility Enforcement” campaign will begin Oct. 15, and West Hartford Police will be participating in the effort to combat distracted driving.
The fall wave of the statewide effort will run from Oct. 15 through Oct. 31.
“Officers will focus on enforcement of distracted driving offenses to include the use of hand held cellular devices while driving,” Capt. Eric Rocheleau said in a news release announcing the campaign. “Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving.”
Police noted that according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation, there were nearly 5,000 crashes in 2020 that were attributed to distracted driving.
Fines for texting and driving increased as of Oct. 1, 2021, police said, with an even greater escalation for subsequent offenses. The fines are now:
- $200 for a first offense (previously $150)
- $375 for a second offense (previously $300)
- $625 for a third offense (previously $500)
“The West Hartford Police Department urges drivers to put their phones down for the safety of all,” Rocheleau said.
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I just read the following and I would like to suggest the best way to stop “distracted driving” is to have the Federal Government pass a Law that requires ALL phones with GPS to STOP the phone from working once the phone is moving let’s say 5 MPH. This would keep all TEXT, EMAILS, Social Media, Phone Calls from working! It would still show the owner of the phone that a “CALL” has come in and who it is from, BUT to answer or return the call you must pull over! STOP the car and handle the call or text.
West Hartford Police Begin Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign