Wilton Answer Book – Transportation

How many vehicles are registered here?

There are approximately 16,400 motor vehicle assessments, almost one for every person in town.

 

How many miles of roads are there in town and who maintains them?

The public works department maintains 127 miles of paved and unpaved roads. The state department of transportation oversees state highways, which include numbered roads like Routes 7, 33, 53 and 106.

 

To whom do I complain about a pothole?

If it’s a town road, call the public works department at 563-0152; if it’s a state road, call the department of transportation at 389-3020 or e-mail from the DOT’s Web site at ct.gov/dot and click on Contact Us. If you’re not sure who has jurisdiction, call the town.

 

What are the typical speed limits in town?

Most local roads have speed limits of 25 miles per hour. More traveled roads reach 35 miles per hour with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour allowed on state roads.

 

What’s the fine for speeding here?

All fines for motor vehicle infractions and violations are set by the state and published in a booklet available in most public libraries, police departments, and DMV offices. It is also available online at jud.ct.gov/Publications/Infractions/infractions.pdf.

Speeding tickets for cars going over 55 miles per hour range from $123 for going one to nine mph over the posted limit to $211 for 23 mph and over the posted limit. Fines are higher for construction, utility, and school zones. Traveling unreasonably fast pertains to cars going under 56 mph. The fines in this bracket range from $103 for one to nine mph over the posted limit to $191 for 23 or more mph over the limit, again with greater penalties for construction, utility and school zones.

The fine for passing a standing school bus, no matter how fast or slow you are going is $460 for the first offense. The same offense in a construction or utility zone is $760.

 

Is there free municipal parking and what are the rules for its use?

All parking in town is free within the regulations posted by spaces.

 

Where can I get a handicapped permit to park?

You may apply for a permit or disability plates at the Department of Motor Vehicles on Main Avenue in Norwalk, or the satellite office at 888 Washington Boulevard in Stamford. Applicants must provide proof of disability with form B-225.

 

What is the fine for illegal parking?

Minor violations, such as blocking a driveway or parking improperly on grass, carry a fine of $25. The most serious violations — blocking a fire hydrant or parking in a fire zone — will cost you $75. Parking in a marked handicapped parking space without a permit will cost you from $150 to $250. If unpaid after 15 days, fines are doubled.

If a Connecticut driver accumulates five unpaid parking tickets in Wilton, the police department can prevent the driver from reregistering his or her car with the DMV.

 

Where are the closest motor vehicle department offices and when are they open?

The nearest motor vehicle department office is in Norwalk at 540 Main Avenue. The Danbury office is at 2 Lee Mac Avenue. Both are open from 8 to 4:30, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 to 7 on Thursday; and 8 to 12:30 on Saturday.

A satellite office at the Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, is open 8 to 4:30 Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday and 8 to 7 on Thursday. Limited services include license and registration renewals, replacement of lost plates, and handicapped parking permits. For more information, call 800-842-8222 or visit ct.gov/dmv.

 

How soon after I move into the state do I need a Connecticut driver’s license?

A new state license is required within 30 days. You do not need to pass a Connecticut driver’s test if you already possess a valid driver’s license from another state.

You must register your car within 60 days. This requires visiting a full-service DMV branch for VIN verification. Call 800-842-8222 for details.

 

Are there any driving schools nearby?

Although there are none Wilton, there are the Ridgefield Driving School (438-6675/ridgefielddrivingschool.com), Lewis School of Driving (972-0242/lewisschoolofdriving.com) in New Canaan, and Buffington’s Driving School (849-0877) and Santo Driving School (857-0005) in Norwalk.

 

At what age may a person begin driving?

A student must be 16 years old to take driving lessons. For those under 18 who do not attend a state-licensed driving school or driver’s education program, a Home Training Certificate must be issued at least one month before the driver’s exam. There is a mandatory five-hour program covering safe driving practices. Call 800-842-8222 for more information. A 16- or 17-year-old driving without a learner’s permit is subject to a $158 fine.

Sixteen- and 17-year-old drivers are subject to graduated licensing. For the first three months after receiving a license, the driver may not have more than one passenger, who must be a parent, legal guardian, or driving instructor. The passenger must be at least 20 years old with a license at least four years old. Between three and six months after getting a license, the driver may only have as passengers those mentioned above or members of the immediate family. The teen may always drive alone. Violating this restriction can net you a $103 fine. 

For information, visit ct.gov/dmv.

 

Are there any other restrictions on teen drivers?

Yes. A state law prohibits teens under the age of 18 from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

 

Can I drive and talk on my cell phone?

Connecticut bans the use of hand-held cell phones by adult drivers. It bans all cell phone use by teen drivers — 16 and 17 years old — except to call 911 or other emergency numbers.

 

Who must wear seat belts?

Drivers and front-seat passengers, and all rear-seat passengers 4 to 16 years old, must wear seat belts when riding in a motor vehicle.

Car seats are required for children younger than 6 or less than 60 pounds. Children must travel in rear-facing car seats until they are a year old and weigh at least 20 pounds.

 

What rights do pedestrians have?

Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not marked by painted lines. Drivers must slow or stop and grant the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If the walkway is regulated with a Walk/Don’t Walk light, pedestrians must wait for the Walk sign.

 

What should I do if I see a flashing blue light on a vehicle?

Flashing blue lights may only be used by volunteer firefighters on their way to an emergency. As with police vehicles, fire trucks, or ambulances, you must yield to these vehicles.

 

What should I do if a horse and rider are on the road?

Horseback riders are protected by the rules of the road. They must ride single file near the right edge of the road. When approaching a horse on a public road, you must reduce your speed or stop, if necessary, to avoid striking, endangering, or frightening the horse. When approaching a horse being ridden or led along a road, you must drive at a reasonable speed and stay a reasonable distance. It is illegal to sound your horn when approaching or passing a horse.

 

What rights do bicyclists have on the road?

In Connecticut a bicycle has the same rights and responsibilities as a car on the road. A bicyclist may use the left lane when turning, and when a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride side by side, the bicyclist may ride near the center of the lane. Drivers must yield to bicyclists in a bicycle lane or on a sidewalk before turning across the bicycle lane or sidewalk. Failure to yield right-of-way to a bicyclist will result in a fine being doubled.

 

Will the police help me install a car seat correctly?

You may call the police department and speak to Officer Louis Reszoly or Officer David Hartman. Both are certified by Connecticut Safe Kids in the installation of child safety seats.

 

Do I have to get my car inspected regularly?

A safety inspection is no longer required for passenger vehicles. Any vehicle from out of state must have an emissions test and VIN verification before being registered.

 

Is there an emissions testing program?

Yes. You will be notified by mail of your test days. Vehicles must be tested every other year. New vehicles less than four years old or more than 25 years old are exempt. If you do not have your vehicle tested, it does not pass, or has not been granter a waiver, DMV will not renew your registration. For information and testing stations, call 1-888-828-8399 or visit online at ctemissions.com.

The nearest testing stations are Wilton Mobil, 46 Danbury Road, 762-8108; Weston Service Center, 190 Weston Road, Weston, 277-7437; and A/C Auto Body of New Canaan, 182 Main Street, New Canaan, 966-1818.

 

Where can I get sand to put on my driveway or sidewalk in the winter?

The town provides free sand in a small pile by the Planning and Zoning Office (next to town hall) at 238 Danbury Road.

 

Where can I get gasoline at 3 a.m.?

There are no 24-hour gas stations in Wilton, but there are many in neighboring Norwalk. Main Avenue Shell (846-3469) at 259 Main Avenue is over the border on Route 7. Ridgefield has all-night service stations: Ridgefield Mobil (438-6559), 31 Danbury Road (Route 35) and Ridgefield Amoco (431-0616), 115 Danbury Road. The Mobil Station at South Avenue and Cherry Street in New Canaan is also open 24 hours.

 

Where is the nearest AAA office?

AAA Connecticut Motor Club has an office at 20 Saugatuck Avenue in Westport (226-0681) and at 623 Newfield Avenue in Stamford (765-4222). For emergency road service, call 800-222-4357.

 

Are there commuter lots for car pooling?

The paved and lighted lot at the corner of Route 7 and Wolfpit Road is open for commuters. Commuters may also park at the Wilton Railroad Station on Route 106 and the Cannondale Railroad Station at Route 7 and Cannon Road. A complete list of park and ride lots in Connecticut is on the state DOT Web site at ct.gov/dot.

 

Is there a car pooling agency around here?

Metropool Inc. in Stamford provides commuter ride-sharing programs to corporations and individuals, as well as van-pooling. There is also a free matching service to commuters wishing to car pool. For details, call 1-800-346-3743 or visit its Web site at metropool.com.

 

Where can I get rid of an old car?

Local auto wreckers will come to your house and remove the car, most times at no charge. Although there are no wreckers in Wilton, Dell’s Auto Wrecking advertises junk cars are wanted. Call 743-6779.

Another possibility, depending on the quality of the vehicle, is to call the technology education (industrial arts) department at Wilton High School (762-0381) or Henry Abbott Regional Vocational and Technical School (797-4446).

Some charity groups accept old cars as charitable contributions. These include the American Diabetes Association (888-212-9990), the American Lung Association (800-LUNG-USA), the American Red Cross (1-877-723-6667), Boys and Girls Clubs in Connecticut (800-246-0493), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (203-386-0049), and Big Brothers Big Sisters in Connecticut (800-859-6526). Fire departments sometimes use old cars for training.

 

Where are the nearest train stations?

Wilton has two stations, both of which are on Metro-North’s Danbury Line. The Wilton Station is a few hundred yards from Center Street near the intersection of Routes 7 and 33. There is one ticket machine Cannondale Station is on Cannon Road, just off Route 7 and adjoining the Cannondale Village Shopping Center. There are no ticket machines and no staffed ticket office. Parking at Wilton and Cannondale is the province of the town (563-0100). The Branchville Station is off Route 7 in Ridgefield, less than a mile from the Wilton border. There are no ticket machines and no staffed ticket office. Parking is run by the town of Ridgefield (431-2700).

Tickets bought before boarding the train to Grand Central cost $13.50 one-way peak, $10 one-way off-peak. A monthly commutation ticket is $292.

All three stations are about 50 miles from Grand Central Terminal. All three have a wheelchair ramp to the platform but may not meet ADA requirements. The nearest accessible station with an elevator is South Norwalk. For details: mta.info.

 

How can I get the latest train schedules?

Timetables are available by calling Metro-North at 800-638-7646, or by visiting mta.info. For information on Amtrak trains, call 800-872-7245 or visit amtrak.com.

 

Is there a taxi service?

Try Westport Star Taxi at 227-3063.

 

Where can I get a limo?

Regency Limousine (762-7780/regencylimousine.com), Blue Chip (834-2090), and Fairways Car Service (762-0282) are the services in Wilton.

 

Besides trains, what forms of public transportation are available here?

Bus service is supplied by Norwalk Transit. Four buses run north to Danbury and south to Norwalk every day, morning and afternoon, along Route 7 and through Wilton Center. Stops include the Branchville station, Routes 7 and 107, Wilton High School, Wilton Center, Route 7 and Wolfpit Road, 10/20 Westport Road, and 50 Danbury Road.

Northbound buses pass 50 Danbury Road at 6:45, 7:45, 8:45, and 10:45 in the morning; and 3:17, 4:17, 5:17, and 6:17 in the evening. Southbound buses pass through Georgetown at 6:31, 7:31, 8:31, and 9:31 in the morning; and 4:08, 5:08, 6:08, and 8:08 in the evening. You must wave for the bus to stop. The fare is $1.25, 60 cents for seniors and disabled riders, free for children under 5. For more information, call 852-0000 or visit norwalktransit.com. (See also section on Senior Citizens for special services.)

 

Where is the nearest bus station?

 The Danbury Bus Terminal (748-1353) at 48 Elm Street, Danbury, serves Bonanza Bus and Greyhound.

Peter Pan and Greyhound use the Stamford Station at 30 Station Place (343-9999).

 

What airports are nearby?

Westchester Airport is used by Air Canada, AirTran Airways, American, Continental, Delta, jetBlue, Northwest, United, and U.S. Airways. The airport code is HPN. The phone number is 914-285-4850. The Web site is westchestergov.com/airport.

La Guardia (718-533-3400) in Queens, N.Y., serves 21 airlines. The airport code is LGA. The Web site is panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/laguardia.html.

Most international flights originate from John F. Kennedy International (718-244-4444), a bout an hour and a half away in Queens. The Web site is panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/kennedy.html. The airport code is JFK.

Bradley International Airport (860-292-2000/888-624-1533) is New England’s second-largest airport after Logan in Boston. It is in Windsor Locks, 12 miles north of Hartford, about an hour and 15 minutes away. Bradley serves Air Canada Jazz, American, American Eagle, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United Airlines, United Express, and U.S. Airways, and U.S. Airways Express. The airport code is BDL. For more information, check the Web site at bradleyairport.com.

Tweed New Haven Airport (203-466-8833/flytweed.com) serves USAirways to Philadelphia. The airport code is HVN.

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (203-576-7498) serves the Bridgeport area. It offers charters, flight training, and private plane services, as well as helicopter service to New York (see below). The airport code is BDR.

 

Is there helicopter service to New York City?

Yes, US Helicopter Corporation offers a 20-minute helicopter ride from Sikorsky Airport to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport with continuing service to JFK International Airport or Newark Liberty Airport (40 minutes gate to gate). For schedule and ticket information, visit flyush.com.

 

Where can I get a good map of the town?

Town Hall (563-0100) at 238 Danbury Road has street maps of Wilton as does the Chamber of Commerce (762-0567).

 

What are the town’s official scenic roads?

Wilton’s scenic road ordinance allows Wiltonians to ask the selectmen to bestow official scenic road status on a particular road. To qualify, a road must meet one of several conditions: unpaved in whole or part; bordered by mature trees or stone walls; less than 20 feet wide; features scenic views; blends naturally into surrounding terrain; parallels or crosses water.

Granting scenic road status does not limit development but seeks a balance between safe access and the preservation of rural and scenic aesthetics.

The town reserves the right “to maintain the road in good and sufficient repair, and in safe, passable condition,’’ according to the ordinance.

Wilton’s scenic roads are: Seeley Road, Tito Lane, Huckleberry Hill, and Nod Hill.

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