When taking a trip to Connecticut, chances are you will need to drive. Luckily this small state has a good road system and you will never be too far from a town or city. And if you happen to be here in the fall, you can look forward to seeing the beautiful leaves on the trees as the seasons change.
Driving Rules and Regulations
General
- Use of cell phones is prohibited whilst you are driving.
- Each driver and passenger have to wear a seat belt.
- Children 7 years or younger or children who weigh less than 60 pounds must be in a safety seat designed for their height and weight.
- You must obey signals given by a law enforcement officer, even if the officer’s signals contradict the traffic signal.
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way at all times to pedestrians who are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
- Drivers entering a traffic circle or rotary must yield to drivers already in the circle.
- At a four-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection first goes first (after coming to a complete stop). If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.
- At an intersection where there is no stop sign, yield sign or oncoming traffic signal, drivers must yield to vehicles coming from the right.
- When you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction you must pull over to the right edge of the road, or as near to the right as possible, and stop your vehicle. You must remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed unless otherwise directed by a state or local police officer or a firefighter. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over.
- You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road, or at an upcoming intersection.
- If the windshield wipers are required due to weather conditions, the headlights must be turned on as well.
Speed Limits
The speed limits on freeways in Connecticut are lower than in other parts of the country but similar to surrounding states. Limits are lower in some zones like near schools and in business districts. Also be on the lookout for construction zones with lower speed limits and higher fines, especially in the summer.
| Within city limits: | 20-40 mph |
|---|---|
| Undivided rural road: | 45-50 mph |
| Divided rural road: | 50-55 mph |
| Freeway within city limits: | 45-55 mph |
| Freeway outside city limits: | 65 mph |
Overtaking & Turning
- U-turns are not legal everywhere. So before you make a U-turn, check for signs prohibiting them. Never make a U-turn on an expressway. When making a U-turn, give a left turn signal, stop, check for approaching traffic. Proceed into the outside or right-hand lane traveling in the opposite direction.
- Motorists are allowed to make a right turn on a red light, but only after coming to a complete stop and yielding to traffic. Be sure to look out for any signs prohibiting right turns on red.
- Drivers overtaking a vehicle traveling in the same direction must yield to that vehicle, even if the vehicle is slowing or coming to a stop.
Sixt Rent a Car in Connecticut
Now that you have read all the driving tips you are ready to get on the road. You can rent a car with Sixt in Hartford or West Haven, and there are things to see just a short drive from either city. If you are traveling to Hartford you might want to see Wadsworth Atheneum which display over 50,000 pieces of art. Drive to the Mark Twain house and learn about the history of this famous author or go to Elizabeth Park for lots of picturesque gardens.
