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no txtn while drivn
Published Saturday, June 27, 2009
Like to text while you drive? Then, get it out of your system quickly, because on Wednesday it will be illegal.
A ban on sending text messages or e-mails while driving goes into effect Wednesday, along with a number of other new Virginia laws. Those who get caught doing it will face a $20 fine for their first offense and a $50 fine for their second. Under the new state law, a driver must be stopped for some other violation before he can be fined for texting while driving.
It’s one of several laws hitting the books on Wednesday, enacted by the Virginia General Assembly during its last session.
“It’s clear that when you text, your eyes aren’t on the road, and your hands aren’t on the steering wheel,” said Delegate John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), who sponsored the bill. He recounted an incident in Florida where the driver of a tractor-trailer was sending text messages to his wife and barreled into a school bus, killing one child and injuring several more.
Several people stopped in downtown Suffolk Friday said they do not text behind the wheel, because it’s not safe.
“I never do it,” said Travonda Demiel. “I’m scared I’m going to get a ticket or have an accident.”
“I’ve tried to dial numbers, and I’ve caught myself running off the road,” said Joyce Hoadley, who said she doesn’t text but admitted to placing calls behind the wheel. “It should be against the law.”
Informed it would be on Wednesday, Hoadley’s response was “Good.”
Virginia saw 114 people die and 14,480 people injured as a result of crashes involving driver distraction last year. The new law has several exceptions, including emergency vehicle operators, drivers reporting an emergency or a driver who is parked.
Penalties for DUI
In addition, the legislature voted this year to increase the penalties for driving under the influence. Previously, if a driver was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol for the second time within five years, he would have to install an ignition interlock system on all vehicles he owns to obtain restricted driving privileges during the three-year revocation period and full driving privileges at the end of the revocation period. Now, the penalty will be given after the second driving under the influence of alcohol conviction in 10 years, not five.
The legislature also passed a law explaining the punishments for people who are caught driving without the ignition interlock device when it is ordered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. After July 1, violators will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and may have their driver’s licenses revoked for one year. The punishments for conviction of a Class 1 misdemeanor include jail time for up to a year and a fine of up to $2,500.
An ignition interlock device is a device installed onto a car’s dashboard. Before the vehicle’s motor can be started, the driver first must exhale into the device. If his breath-alcohol concentration is greater than the programmed alcohol concentration — usually 0.02 or 0.04 percent — the vehicle will not start.
No school? No driving
Also new this year is a law that allows juvenile courts to suspend a minor’s driver’s license if the child accumulates 10 or more unexcused, consecutive absences from school.
The judge can suspend the child’s driver’s license for any period of time until the minor turns 18. If teens whose licenses are suspended drive anyway, they are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. The child may apply to the court for a restricted license if she is employed at least four hours a day and at least 20 hours a week, if she has a medical condition that requires her to be able to drive, or if she is the only person in the household with a driver’s license.
Mopeds prohibited on highways
The legislature passed a law this year prohibiting mopeds from traveling on interstate highways, beginning July 1. Violators could face a $50 fine. The law also prohibits the following on interstates:
4Electric personal assistive mobility devices
4Electrically powered toy vehicles
4Bicycles and electric power-assisted bicycles
State law defines a moped as a vehicle traveling on three wheels or less with a seat, and a motor that displaces less than 50 cubic centimeters. If the moped will be driven faster than 35 miles per hour, state law requires it be titled and registered as a motorcycle.
To travel on public streets, moped drivers are required to abide by the same traffic laws and regulations as automobile drivers, and they must be at least 16 years old. Although a moped drivers isn’t required to obtain a Virginia driver’s license, he must carry identification.
Traffic safety expanded
The General Assembly also passed a law related to traffic safety that impacts safety courses for drivers age 55 and older. After July 1, crash prevention courses may be offered online to these drivers if the company offering the class is approved by DMV. In addition, insurance companies may allow a reduction in premium charges to drivers 55 and older who successfully complete a crash prevention course via the Internet or other electronic means.
Restricted license change
Restricted licenses are currently issued under certain circumstances by the court so people can drive between home and work. Another new law passed by the 2009 General Assembly expands the restricted driving law for young drivers whose licenses are suspended for receiving their second demerit point or conviction of a safety belt violation while under age 18.
Effective July 1, those who petition the court for restricted driving privileges during their 90-day suspension period may be authorized to drive to work, as well as to an institution of higher learning. Drivers have to prove there is no other means of transportation they may use between home and the institution of higher learning.
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Comments
Posted by hb55170 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 12:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"No school? No driving
Also new this year is a law that allows juvenile courts to suspend a minor’s driver’s license if the child accumulates 10 or more unexcused, consecutive absences from school."
-- are you kidding me? Unfortunately, this will only make the child choose to drop out sooner rather than later. If a child isn't interested in staying in school and maintaining state regulating attendance this will not deter them anymore than a failing grade or the threat that their parents can be fined or sent to jail for their unexcused absences.
Just another way to create yet another government job to oversee all of this nonsense and cost the taxpayers thousands of dollars.
Posted by hb55170 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So, no 2 wheel bikes allowed on route 58? Better post some signs!
Posted by hb55170 (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've never understood these silly laws that are contingent upon violating some other law before you can be pulled over.
ie: no seatbelt and now texting.
Basically, we can all break these laws continuously as long as we aren't speeding, running a red light, have a tail light out etc.
THIS IS JUST SILLY - IF YOU BREAK A LAW YOU SHOULD BE PULLED OVER AND WRITTEN A CITATION IMMEDIATELY.
Posted by beamonx (anonymous) on June 30, 2009 at 3:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is going to make the police stop texting?
Posted by omg (anonymous) on July 9, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
beamonx: What exactly does the police have to do with this? It just cracks me up how the first thing someone thinks about when it comes to any law is the police and what they are doing. The police are an exception to most of these laws when they are on duty. Rather you believe it or not they do have a job to do. When they are not on duty the same laws apply to them that apply to everyone else. If they laws they get punished just as anyone else and then some. So the answer to your question is this....while on duty a police officer does not have to wear a seatbelt for other reasons of safety to the officer, they can text because they get texts from work regarding work, they can talk on their cell phones for business only, and they also work a computer while driving all only on duty of course. Now if they are not on duty and they break the laws that you and I have to follow they will not only get introuble for the law that they broke they will most likely loose their job! I can tell you from experience....NO teenager driving anywhere should be allowed to text OR talk on the phone while they drive. I have teenagers that drive and have been in the car when that phone rings and they pick it up and talk on it. THEY DON'T EVEN NEED A PNONE IN THE CAR WITH THEM!
You can also keep in mind that the police do not make the laws they enforce the laws that our Gov. tell them they will enforce. Trust me they are not picking on you or anyone else when they catch you breaking the laws they are doing their job.
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