Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Connecticut

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who must wear a seat belt and who is responsible for younger passengers.
• You can choose the right child restraint stage by age and weight.
• You can describe Connecticut's hand-held phone ban and the extra rule for under-18s.
• You can state the penalties for breaking the phone law.

What you need to know and understand

• The driver and every passenger must wear a seat belt.
• The driver must make sure passengers aged 8 to under 16 are belted.
• Children under 2 or under 30 pounds must ride rear-facing with a five-point harness.
• A rear-facing child seat may not go in the front seat if there is a working passenger airbag.
• Hand-held phones and devices are banned for all drivers, even when stopped in traffic or at a light.
• Drivers 18 and older may use hands-free; drivers under 18 may not use any phone.
• Adult phone fines under the statute are $200, $375 and $625 for first, second and third offenses.

Buckle up, everyone

Connecticut law requires the driver and all passengers to wear seat belts. Use both the lap and shoulder parts, and remember that airbags work with belts, not instead of them. Each unbelted person can be ticketed, and under state law the fine is higher for those under 18.

Teen drivers and permit holders may not carry more passengers than there are seat belts.

Child restraint stages

• Under 2 years or under 30 pounds: rear-facing seat with a five-point harness.
• Under 5 years or under 40 pounds: rear- or forward-facing seat with a five-point harness.
• Under 8 years or under 60 pounds: five-point harness seat or a booster seat used with a lap and shoulder belt.
• 8 or older and at least 60 pounds: booster seat or seat belt.
• If age and weight point to different stages, use the more protective one.

Phones and devices

No driver may hold a phone or mobile electronic device while driving on a public road, and that includes while stopped at a light or in traffic. Adults may use a hands-free setup. Drivers under 18, including permit holders, may not use any phone or device at all, even hands-free. The main exception is calling for emergency help.

For an adult, the statute sets fines of $200 for a first offense, $375 for a second and $625 for a third or later. For a 16 or 17 year old, a conviction also means a license suspension: 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for a second and 6 months for a third, plus a $175 restoration fee and court fines.

Cutting other distractions

1. Set your music, navigation and mirrors before you move off.
2. Put your phone on silent and out of reach, or in the glove box.
3. Ask a passenger to handle directions and messages.
4. If you must deal with something, pull over safely and park first.

Common mistakes

• Picking up your phone at a red light. The ban covers you while stopped in traffic too.
• Assuming hands-free is fine at 17. Under 18, any phone use is illegal.
• Moving a child to a forward-facing seat too early. Follow the age and weight stages.
• Letting a back-seat passenger skip the belt on short trips.

Test yourself: Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Connecticut

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Connecticut Teen License Suspensions
• Connecticut Permit Practice Test
• Connecticut 8 Hour Safe Driving Practices Course