[Ct-nfb] FW: CT's Vulnerable User Law Takes Effect October 1, 2014

Wed Oct 1 18:00:22 UTC 2014

From: Sylvestre, Alan [mailto:Alan.Sylvestre at ct.gov] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 9:55 AM
To: Thal, Stephen
Cc: erival at comcast.net
Subject: FW: CT's Vulnerable User Law Takes Effect October 1, 2014

Please see below for your information.  

Al Sylvestre

From: Bike Walk Connecticut [mailto:bikewalkct at bikewalkct.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2014 6:03 AM
To: Sylvestre, Alan
Subject: CT's Vulnerable User Law Takes Effect October 1, 2014

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Vulnerable User Law Takes Effect October 1, 2014

Hartford, Conn. (October 1,2014) - From 2006 to 2012, a total of 10,793 pedestrians and cyclists were killed or injured while using Connecticut roads, according to federal and state crash data registries.  Now Connecticut has a law that helps hold accountable careless drivers who injure or kill pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorized "vulnerable users" of the state's roads.  

The Vulnerable User law, Public Act 14-31, was signed into law on May 16, 2014.  It takes effect today on October 1, 2014. Bike Walk Connecticut, the advocacy organization that works to make Connecticut a better place to bike and walk, pressed for the bill to be adopted this year.    

The Vulnerable User law requires a fine to be imposed on reckless motor vehicle drivers who cause the death or serious injury of a pedestrian, cyclist, wheelchair user, or other vulnerable users who were using reasonable care.  The fine is capped at $1000. 

Bike Walk Connecticut's Executive Director, Kelly Kennedy, is quick to point out that "While the fine is in no way equivalent to the harm that reckless drivers can cause, the law is a step in the right direction.  It reinforces the message that everybody needs to be vigilant, responsible and respectful of the fact that they're sharing the road with others." 

Fast Facts on the Vulnerable User Law

*	The need:  Careless drivers injure hundreds of people every year in Connecticut. Unless there is evidence of drug or alcohol use, or a hit and run, for some reason careless drivers are rarely held accountable for their devastating, preventable, actions. 
*	What does the law do?  The Vulnerable User law requires a fine of up to $1,000 for infliction of serious physical injury or death to a vulnerable user when a person fails to operate due care when using a motor vehicle.   
*	Who's a vulnerable user?  Vulnerable users are pedestrians, highway workers, wheelchair users, people riding or driving an animal, blind people and their service animals, and people who operate farm tractors, bicycles, scooters, roller or inline skates, and skateboards. 
*	How many other states have Vulnerable User laws?  According to the League of American Bicyclists, 23 other states have some version of a vulnerable user law.
*	Where can I find the full text of the law?  See Conn. Pub. Acts 14-31 at http://www.cga.ct.gov/2014/act/pa/pdf/2014PA-00031-R00SB-00336-PA.pdf 
*	Where can I check the crash data for my area?  See http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/; http://www.ctcrash.uconn.edu/;http://www.tstc.org/reports/danger12/; http://t4america.org/tag/dangerous-by-design.

Connecticut Cyclist and Pedestrian Crash Data 2006 - 2012

Year

Total 
Bike/Ped Fatalities

Cyclist Fatalities

Pedestrian
Fatalities

Total 
Bike/Ped Injuries

Cyclist Injuries

Pedestrian 
Injuries

Total Bike/Ped Injuries & Fatalities

2006

43

5

38

1687

579

1108

1730

2007

36

5

31

1820

655

1165

1856

2008

53

6

47

1630

596

1034

1683

2009

27

1

26

1580

544

1036

1607

2010

53

7

46

1357

220

1137

1410

2011

34

8

26

1198

168

1030

1232

2012

49

4

45

1226

210

1016

1275

Total 

295

36

259

10,498

2972

7526

10,793

Federal and state data report that 10,793 pedestrians and cyclists were injured or killed in Connecticut from 2006 through 2012. Data for 2013 and 2014 is not yet available.  

Bike Walk Connecticut is a statewide organization that works to make Connecticut a better place to bike and walk.  
Learn more at www.bikewalkct.org. 

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Bike Walk Connecticut | PO Box 270149 | West Hartford | CT | 06127-0149

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