Dive Brief:
- Rep. Mitch Bolinsky has introduced a bill, H.B. 6502, to Connecticut's General Assembly which mirrors "Slow Down to Get Around" laws in other states, as reported by the Hartford Business Journal.
- A hearing was held on Feb. 2 and the National Waste & Recycling Association's (NWRA) Connecticut chapter president testified in favor of the bill.
- Motorists would be required to slow down or over move one lane when passing waste or recycling collection trucks and oil and gas delivery vehicles.
Dive Insight:
Passing Slow Down to Get Around laws is a main priority for the NWRA and others in the industry. Connecticut would become the 13th state to do so, following a September law from New York. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia also have similar laws.
The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data still ranks waste collection as the fifth most dangerous occupation in the country and the industry has been looking to address that through a range of solutions. Vehicle-related incidents still comprise a large portion of injuries and fatalities, inspiring events on vehicle backing and other related training from industry associations.
While much of this work needs to happen internally, this push for more Slow Down to Get Around laws is a way to make the public aware of their role. In the U.K., one major hauler has even teamed up with local police to stop motorists from driving on sidewalks and reckless behavior is an ongoing factor in the U.S. as well.
