A national watchdog group says Connecticut is just average when it comes to putting the brakes on highway traffic deaths.

The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, based in Washington, D.C., found the state has seven of the 15 highway safety laws it finds crucial for steering away from traffic deaths. The state also got partial credit for four others.

According to the group, Connecticut?s traffic safety laws need improvement. The four laws that the state stalled in passing are the requirement motorcycle helmet laws for adults, protection for child passengers, the banning of open containers for passengers and stricter provisions on cars driven by first-time DUI offenders.

State lawmakers agree with the report. They also agree that the laws are important, but say the laws won?t take the front seat in this session.

Lawmakers say they will be looking into legislation that will put more troopers on the roads, improve truck safety and toughen teen driving parameters.

Related Information:Connecticutranks 31st in highway safety