Some Connecticut lawmakers want to impose tougher penalties for driving while using a hand-held cell phone, less than a year after the General Assembly voted to increase fines, The Associated Press reports.
Members of the legislature’s Transportation Committee are scheduled to hear testimony Monday about several bills that raise fines and set tougher criminal penalties for violators.
First-time offenders who use an electronic device while driving without a hand-free accessory now face a $100 fine. The fine is $150 for a second violation, $200 for subsequent violations. One bill this year would increase each amount by $100.
Other bills would double fines in a construction or school zone, impose a misdemeanor for second-time offenders and impose felony charge for violators who cause a crash resulting in death or serious injury.
