Monday, September 30, 2013

Crisco: New laws to improve highway, consumer safety

HARTFORD – State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. , D-Woodbridge, today said that among the many new laws set to become effective tomorrow, a handful stand out for their potential to improve safety on Connecticut’s roads – for both drivers and highway workers – and for consumers of two current, popular trends.

All told, dozens of state laws have an Oct. 1 effective date, but the measures to further restrict distracted driving, safeguard highway workers, and protect customers of tattoo parlors and indoor tanning facilities demonstrate the legislature’s responsiveness to these pressing issues, Crisco said.

“One new law fortifies consequences for driving while talking on a cell phone, texting, or engaged in other forms of distracted driving, increasing fines for first, second, and third offenses in an effort to protect all those on Connecticut roads,” Crisco said. 
“Likewise, another new law strengthens penalties for violations within designated highway work zones in a concerted effort to protect those who are making repairs and improvements to our roads.”

Crisco said the new sequence of fines to be paid for distracted driving are $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for each additional violation.

“In terms of consumer safety, we now have a state statute requiring state licensing and annual, local inspections of tattoo parlors to ensure safe and sanitary conditions therein,” Crisco said. “Body art seems to be very popular, particularly among young people in our state, and the legislature wants to protect them from inattentive tattoo artists.”

“Similarly, a new state statute prohibits indoor tanning facilities from accepting anyone under 17 from using a tanning bed again, to protect consumers from unnecessary risk,” Crisco added. “Some of these new tanning beds can alter a person’s skin tone in as little as 10 minutes, so we simply want customers and users of these strong machines to be at least 17 years old before doing so.”


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