September 29, 2005
NEW SAFETY LAWS GOING INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1ST
State Rep. Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury), reminded residents about the importance of taking notice about the new safety laws going into effect this coming Saturday, October 1st.
Rep. Godfrey stated, “One of government’s primary responsibility is working to ensure the health and safety of its citizens. The General Assembly passed historic legislation this past session – legislation designed to keep you and our loved ones out of harms way. There are four new major laws that everyone should be aware of”.
(1) The cell phone ban act (PA 05-159) prohibits drivers from using hand held cell phones while driving unless there is an emergency. In order to avoid a $100 fine, all drivers must have hands-free cell phone equipment. However, drivers who are 16 and 17 years old are banned from using cell phones even with the hands-free equipment. Rep. Godfrey added, “I urgently ask all drivers to limit the distractions that cell phone use brings.”
(2) The drivers’ education act (PA 05-54) requires that 16 and 17 year olds learning to drive under learner’s permits to have a minimum of 20, instead of the current eight, hours of behind-the-wheel instruction before they qualify for licensure. Training may be obtained from a commercial driving school, through a school based driver education program, or from “home training”. Only an adult, who has held a driver’s license for at least the preceding four years that has not been suspended during that time, is qualified to offer home training. The act also prohibits a 16-or 17-year old licensed driver from driving from 12:00a.m. through 5:00a.m. unless he is traveling because of his employment, school or religious activities, or medical necessity. Similarly, the act restricts the 16- or 17-year old during the first three months of licensure to having as a passenger either (1) his parents or legal guardian, regardless of their age as long as one is a licensed driver, or (2) one passenger only who must be either a licensed driving instructor or someone at least age 20 with an unsuspended driver’s license for the four preceding years. “I want to especially congratulate my colleague David Scribner of Brookfield, who worked so hard to have this act pass. This act will go a long way towards saving the lives of new, young drivers”, Godfrey said.
(3) The child restraints systems act (PA 05-58) ensures that, children ages 4 - 7, or who weigh less than 60 pounds regardless of age, must use a booster seat anchored by a seat belt that includes a shoulder belt. The new law also requires children up to age one, or until they reach 20 pounds, to be transported in rear-facing car seats.
(4) Finally, the pocket bike regulation act (PA 05-173) restricts the operation of mini motorcycles or “pocket bikes”. This act prohibits anyone, including the owner of the vehicle from operating or riding as a passenger on a mini-motorcycle on any highway, public sidewalk or public property in the state. The bill also requires anyone offering a mini-motorcycle for sale, lease, or rent to provide warning labels and advisories on the safe and legal use of these vehicles. The bill designates violations of any of its provisions as infractions and requires that the police impound the mini-motorcycle for 48 hours for illegal operation. “This act was a particular concern of the people of my district,” Godfrey noted, “a number of whom asked me to introduce this as a bill. The use of these pocket bikes has changed from annoying to unsafe. Even the Danbury Common Council by resolution asked for this regulation. I’m happy the General Assembly accomplished the task.”
State Representative Bob Godfrey is Deputy Speaker, and a member of the Judiciary and, the Legislative Management Committees.