OLR Report 2015-R-0280
provides Connecticut’s and other states’ penalties for causing a fatality when
texting while driving. While there is no
specific penalty in Connecticut, we found five states (Alaska, Illinois,
Maryland, New Jersey, and Utah) that have enacted laws for such a crime.
In
Connecticut, the offense of texting while
driving is punishable by fines of $150, $300, and $500 for a first, second, or
subsequent offense, respectively. When a driver
causes a fatality while texting, a prosecutor may charge the driver with
applicable crimes not specifically related to illegal cell phone use, such as
negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, or 2nd
degree manslaughter, among others.
Penalties in the states
previously mentioned range from misdemeanors punishable by up to one year
imprisonment to felonies with prison sentences of up to 15
years for a first conviction. Misdemeanor fines range from a maximum of $2,500
to a maximum $10,000 and felony fines range from a maximum of $5,000 to a
maximum of $250,000.
