Virginia Governor Passes Law That Bans Texting While Driving

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Virginia Governor Passes Law That Bans Texting While Driving

Nowadays text messaging has become a common way for people to communicate. But did you know that text messaging while driving is widely considered one of the most dangerous things to do while operating a motor vehicle? In fact, The Transport Research Laboratory in the UK found that drivers who send text messages while driving dramatically increase the likelihood of collision. Their reaction times decreased by 35%, which is worse than those who drank alcohol at the legal limit. Teens say that texting is their No. 1 driving distraction, according to a 2006 study from Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Earlier this month Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine signed into law a ban on text messaging while driving. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2009. Virginia will become one of many states that have banned texting while driving. The ban will include text messaging while driving a car, bicycle, motorcycle, moped or even an electric wheelchair.

The bill, sponsored by Del. John A. Cosgrove, would make texting a secondary violation. This means that a driver could get only a $20 ticket for the offense if pulled over for another reason. Second and subsequent texting-while-driving offenses would result in fines of $50.

Virginia and Maryland have considered banning the use of cellphones for adult drivers almost every year since at least 2001. Maryland banned cellphone use for teens with learner's permits in 2005, and Virginia made it illegal for drivers younger than 18 in 2007.

Labels: cell phones collisions new law text messages Virginia

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