Connecticut § 14-299a - Traffic signal preemption devices. Penalty.

§ 14-299a. Traffic signal preemption devices. Penalty.

Sec. 14-299a. Traffic signal preemption devices. Penalty. (a) As used in this section, “traffic signal preemption device” means a device capable of altering the timing or phasing of a traffic control signal.

(b) No person shall use a traffic signal preemption device unless such person, in furtherance of such person's duties, is (1) installing or maintaining a traffic control signal; (2) operating railroad equipment or a movable bridge; (3) operating a transit vehicle on behalf of the Department of Transportation; (4) operating a motor vehicle owned by the federal or state government, a municipal government or fire district in responding to an emergency; or (5) operating an ambulance in responding to an emergency. No traffic signal preemption device shall be in, or part of, a motor vehicle unless (A) the motor vehicle is owned or controlled by the federal or state government, a municipal government or fire district, (B) the motor vehicle is an ambulance, or (C) such vehicle is being used in the course of manufacturing, transporting, installing or maintaining such a device.

(c) No person shall possess a traffic signal preemption device unless such person is a manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of such devices, a vendor authorized by a manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of such devices or a repairer of such devices.

(d) No person shall sell or transfer possession of a traffic signal preemption device unless (1) such person is a manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of such devices, a vendor authorized by a manufacturer specializing in the manufacture of such devices or a repairer of such devices, and (2) such sale or transfer of possession is to the federal or state government, a municipal government or fire district, ambulance operator or to a vendor or repairer of such devices.

(e) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (b), (c) or (d) of this section shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three months, or both.

(f) Any person who violates any provision of subsection (b) of this section which violation results in a traffic accident shall be guilty of a class D felony, except that such person shall be fined not more than fifteen thousand dollars.

(P.A. 05-242, S. 1; P.A. 12-80, S. 166; P.A. 13-258, S. 60.)

History: P.A. 05-242 effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 12-80 amended Subsec. (e) to replace maximum term of imprisonment of “ninety days” with “three months”; P.A. 13-258 amended Subsec. (f) to substitute provisions re class D felony for provision re imprisonment of not more than 5 years.