Buckle Up and Get Off the Phone or Pay the Price

Do you drive without wearing a seatbelt or use that driving time to talk on a phone? Be prepared to pay.

Distracted drivers can expect a lesson on the rules of the road next week as the state Department of Transportation kicks off the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign and now more than ever, Southington Police Sgt. Lowell DePalma said local departments will be participating and looking for anyone who is distracted while driving.

In recent years, the campaign has led to the issuance of thousands of citations to those who were driving without a seatbelt, using cell phones or other technology and speeding. Despite efforts, however, state police said the message still hasn’t reached many drivers in the state.

Southington is one of many local police departments involved in the annual campaign and DePalma said in a press release that the two-week campaign will kick off officially on Monday, May 23, with the goal of catching those who are knowingly violating the rules of the road.

Cell phone violations in particular have been a constant problem in the area, DePalma said in an interview earlier this year, and will also be a primary concern addressed in this year’s campaign.

“Any distracted driving reduces reaction time and increases the chance of an accident,” he said. “Proactive efforts help us catch those in violation of state laws before a serious accident occurs.”

Under Connecticut statutes, those caught talking on a cell phone are subject to fines of $100 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $200 for any subsequent offense. Those not wearing their seatbelts are subject to a $92 fine.

Departments will assign officers to roving patrols and will also conduct seatbelt checkpoints as part of the annual campaign. In Southington, this will include dedicated checkpoints on state roads including Route 10, Route 322 and other possible locations, a press release said.

The goal is 100 percent compliance, police said, and checkpoints will take place May 23, May 27, May 31 and June 2.