Substitute House Bill No. 7060 aims to improve transportation worker safety in Connecticut by establishing a mandatory highway work zone and roadside vehicle safety awareness program for motor vehicle operator's license applicants and individuals convicted of specific violations related to highway work zones. The program, administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), will cover safe driving practices, dangers in highway work zones, and proper interactions with emergency vehicles, requiring a minimum of eight hours of instruction and a written or electronic test. The bill also sets a maximum fee of $150 for the program and allows the DMV to certify other organizations, such as licensed driving schools, to conduct it. Additionally, it mandates that violators' driving records reflect their participation in the program for a specified duration, with license suspensions for further violations during this period.

The bill includes the designation of two memorials: the "Andrew DiDomenico Memorial Highway" and the "State Trooper First Class Aaron M. Pelletier Memorial Bridge." It repeals subsection (d) of section 14-36 of the general statutes, replacing it with new provisions that align with the safety awareness program. Furthermore, it modifies existing language by replacing "instruction" with "practices" in the context of the safe driving course and introduces new provisions for administering the knowledge test in multiple languages. The bill also eliminates previous provisions that would have increased penalties for certain driving offenses in highway work zones and for violations of the "move over" law that result in injury or death. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the training and safety of young drivers while ensuring the licensing process is accessible and inclusive.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-37b, 14-222, 14-296aa, 14-298
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-37b, 14-222, 14-296aa
File No. 558: 14-37b, 14-222, 14-296aa
JUD Joint Favorable Substitute: 14-37b
File No. 842: 14-37b