[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Virginia bill -- handheld device use in vehicles

[Gary Sessums]

The Virginia General Assembly has passed House Bill 874 and it now 
heads to the desk of Governor Ralph Northam, who has voiced support 
for the bill.


Current Virginia law prohibits the reading of any email or text 
message and manually entering letters or text in such a device as a 
means of communicating and holding a personal communications device 
while driving in a work zone.


The newly passed bill expands the prohibition to include any person 
from holding a handheld personal communications device while driving 
a motor vehicle.


Violations of the new measures in HB 874 would result in a fine of 
$125 for the first offense and $250 for subsequent offenses.


If a violation occurs in a highway work zone, there would be a 
mandatory fee of $250.


The new bill includes an exemption for the use of amateur radio and 
citizens band radio.


A copy of the newly passed bill now heading to the Governor can be 
viewed on-line at 
https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+HB874ER+pdf


If signed into law by Virginia Governor Northam, Virginia will become 
a hands-free driving state on January 1, 2021.