RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – A bipartisan push to stop texting while driving in Virginia is gaining momentum.
Members of the House and Senate advanced bills that would allow police to pull drivers over and ticket them for texting behind the wheel.
The penalty would carry a maximum fine of $250 for the first offense $500 dollars for following offenses.
Right now, texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning drivers have to be cited for another offense first.
“It just goes to show when you put your eyes down, you’re not just a danger to yourself, you’re a danger to everyone on the road,” said Del. Ben Cline (R- District 24)
If signed into law, the proposals would also clear the path for a person who drives recklessly while texting to be found guilty of reckless driving, which would carry a mandatory minimum fine of $500.
