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.