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.”
