The state Senate unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday that would fine drivers up to $1,000 for injuring or killing pedestrians, bicyclists, highways workers and others users of roads considered to be "vulnerable" on top of any existing criminal charges, according to the Stamford Advocate.
Vulnerable users would also include blind individuals escorted by guide dogs, inline skaters, individuals in wheelchairs, horseback riders, farm-tractor drivers and skateboarders. Drivers deemed as not using "reasonable care" would be fined on the condition that the victims were deemed as using "reasonable care."
The bill, , originally required offenders to attend a driver re-education program and face a penalty of up to $5,000 and/or 120 hours of community service.
“In today’s hectic world, road rage and are common occurrence,” Amy Stegall, president of Connecticut Horse Council, told the Transportation Committee last year. “Unfortunately, motorists are sharing the road with pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians, and when you have a collision, the car ‘always’ wins.”
