Texting while driving in Virginia soon could be illegal if signed into law. House Bill 1876 was passed in the Senate 33-1 and in the House 88-10. The bill prohibits operation of a motor vehicle while using any personal communications devices to text or read text messages. Violating this law is a secondary offense, but still could result in a ticket.
“If you’re having to use both hands to text, you aren’t driving,” said Delegate John A. Cosgrove R-Chesapeake, who proposed of the bill. “Texting and driving is a pretty dangerous act. I’m just pleased that we can get that practice made illegal.”
The bill provides exemptions for the use of global positioning systems and using a wireless telecommunications device to report an emergency.