New Legislation Could Seize Your Vehicle for Exceeding 100 MPH in Connecticut | Carscoops

      A new legislation in Connecticut aims to penalize drivers exceeding 100 mph.

      Those found guilty would face heightened fines and have their vehicles impounded.

      The bill has recently been approved by the state House and is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.

      Bipartisan support is infrequent these days, yet the Connecticut House of Representatives unanimously endorsed this legislation aimed at addressing "extreme reckless drivers." These individuals, driving at speeds beyond 100 mph (161 km/h), would encounter harsher penalties.

      According to the reckless driving bill, motorists caught exceeding 100 mph could incur fines ranging from $200 to $600. They may also face up to 30 days in jail or a combination of fines and imprisonment.

      For repeat offenses, penalties would escalate, with drivers potentially facing fines of up to $1,000 or a year in jail, along with the possibility of combined fines and jail time. Additionally, a second offense would result in the vehicle being impounded for 48 hours. After that time, the owner can retrieve their car upon settling all towing and storage fees.

      Although the bill still requires Senate approval, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong noted that the "unanimous vote conveys a strong bipartisan message to those who flout our laws and jeopardize our safety – this reckless behavior will not be accepted." He emphasized that reckless drivers and blatant disregard for the law endanger families.

      The proposed penalties are not as severe as others seen previously, but the current reckless driving law addresses those driving over 85 mph (137 km/h) or "driving at a speed that endangers others."

      A first offense results in a fine between $100 and $300 and up to 30 days in jail. For repeated offenses, the fine can reach $600, with the jail time potentially extending to one year. This highlights that the main distinctions between reckless driving and excessive reckless driving are increased fines and vehicle impoundment.

      Data from CT Post indicates that speed-related accidents in Connecticut have decreased by over 30 percent in the past decade, dropping from 10,939 in 2015 to 7,148 in 2024. However, total collisions, whether speed-related or not, have only fallen by 7 percent, suggesting that factors beyond speeding continue to significantly contribute to accidents. This trend has persisted into 2025, with reports of 1,400 speed-related crashes in the first quarter, down from 3,056 during the same period last year.