(NEWINGTON, CT) – Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto released the below statement regarding the passage of HB5917, “An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Vision Zero Council.”
“On behalf of our team at CTDOT, I am thrilled that HB5917, 'An Act Implementing the Recommendations of the Vision Zero Council', has passed the House and Senate with significant bipartisan support.
“It’s no secret that our roadways have become more deadly, and we are laser-focused on doing everything we can to ensure travelers in Connecticut are safe.
“This bill represents over a year’s worth of work by the Vision Zero Council members and subcommittee volunteers. At its most basic level, this bill implements policies and authorizes using strategies and tools that have proven to reduce crashes and injuries when implemented in other states. It is a comprehensive package addressing engineering, education, enforcement, and equity.
“The bill empowers municipalities to deploy automated traffic enforcement with significant oversight from CTDOT, requires more robust safety education be provided to drivers, requires us to consider recommendations from equity stakeholders in our annual capital plan development, and requires we continue our work to raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, and more.
“We are confident the provisions in this bill will help improve public health and safety for every resident, especially people of color who are disproportionately impacted by serious injuries and fatalities on our roadways.
“We have incredible partners in the leadership of the Transportation Committee, Rep. Roland Lemar, Sen. Christine Cohen, Rep. Kathy Kennedy, and Sen. Tony Hwang, as well as the Vision Zero Council members and subcommittee volunteers. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with these dedicated stakeholders and others to improve safety on our roadways.”