Connecticut’s vulnerable user bill (SB191), which would toughen penalties for careless drivers who injure or kill pedestrians, cyclists, highway workers, animal riders and other vulnerable users of the state’s roadways, continues to move forward as the Connecticut General Assembly enters its final stretches. With a month left in the state’s legislative session, advocates are saying now’s the time to get the bill passed.

The vulnerable user bill passed the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee in March, cleared the Insurance and Real Estate Committee on a 15-2 vote in April, and was sent to the Judiciary Committee on May 1. The bill has also picked up two additional co-sponsors in recent weeks — Reps. Al Adinolfi (R-Cheshire) and David Scribner (R-Bethel), the ranking members of the Aging and Transportation Committees, respectively. The bill is sponsored by State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), and its first co-sponsor was Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven).The bill would require a fine of up to $1,000 for someone who drives carelessly and kills or seriously injures a “vulnerable roadway user,” defined as a pedestrian, cyclist, highway worker, person riding or driving an animal, skater, wheelchair user, tractor operator or blind person. Advocates also support stronger penalties — requiring careless drivers to attend a retraining course and perform community service — but those provisions were removed from the original bill.

At Bike Walk Connecticut’s annual summit on April 27, executive director Kelly Kennedy called on attendees to contact their legislators this month — which is National Bike Month — to voice support for the bill. Connecticut residents can find their lawmakers’ contact information and a sample message on Bike Walk Connecticut’s website. The bill is also listed on the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters’ legislative scorecard, and is supported by at least 20 organizations including AARP, the Connecticut Horse Council, and the state’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.