Reckless Driving and Speeds Over 85
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-222 — over 85 miles per hour is reckless driving, over 100 its own offense, and since 1 October 2026 a phone in a work zone
No person may operate a motor vehicle on a public highway, on a road of a district or association that keeps its own roads, in a parking area for ten cars or more, on a private road with a speed limit, or on school property recklessly, having regard to the width, traffic and use of the road, the intersection of streets and the weather.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
- Driving at a speed that endangers the life of anyone other than the driver is a violation.
- So is driving at more than 85 miles per hour but not more than 100.
- So is driving a vehicle the driver knows has defective mechanism.
- Since Public Act 26-120 took effect on 1 October 2026, so is driving in a highway work zone while doing anything the hand held phone law forbids.
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| OffenseReckless driving, a first offense | PenaltyA fine of not less than $100 nor more than $300, up to 30 days in jail, or both |
| OffenseReckless driving, a later offense | PenaltyA fine of up to $600, up to one year in jail, or both |
| OffenseMore than 100 miles per hour, a first offense | PenaltyA fine of not less than $200 nor more than $600, up to 30 days in jail, or both |
| OffenseMore than 100 miles per hour, a later offense | PenaltyA fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both |
An officer arresting someone for driving over 100 miles per hour who has a prior conviction for it impounds the vehicle for 48 hours, and the owner pays the towing and storage. Nobody is prosecuted for the same act under both this section and the speeding statute.
Driving faster than is reasonable for the width, traffic and use of the road, the intersections and the weather is its own violation, whatever the posted limit.
When a death follows. A person who causes the death of another by negligent operation of a motor vehicle faces a fine of up to $3,500, up to three years in prison, or both.
Sources for this section (3)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-222 — Reckless driving
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-218a — Traveling unreasonably fast. Establishment of speed limits
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-222a — Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.