In The News

Virginia ban on texting while driving begins Wednesday

RICHMOND, Va. — Message to drivers who text or e-mail on the road: put the phone down or pay up.

Virginia will join 13 other states and the District of Columbia that have banned texting while driving when the new law and hundreds of others legislators passed this winter take effect Wednesday.

Safe driving advocates said texting or e-mailing while driving significantly increases the chances of getting into a wreck.

Del. John A. Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake and the bill's sponsor, cited a crash in Florida this spring when the driver of a tractor-trailer hit a school bus while text messaging his wife, killing one student and injuring several others.

"There is no message other than 'I'm in serious, serious jeopardy' that is worth that type of risk," he said.

Those who text or e-mail while driving can receive a $20 fine or $50 for a second offense, but drivers can only receive a citation if they were pulled over for another offense. The law makes an exception for emergency responders like paramedics or police officers, or those reporting an emergency.

Those frustrated that they can no longer pluck away at their handhelds during rush hour can take solace in knowing they can light up at their favorite restaurant for another five months.

The General Assembly's historic curbs on smoking in restaurants and bars will not take effect until Dec. 1. Then, restaurants that intend to allow smoking must confine it to closed, separately ventilated rooms or open-air decks or patios outside. Private clubs are exempt.

Lawmakers put off the effective date to give restaurant owners who wish to retain a smoking section enough time to make modifications. They also wanted to make sure the ban would not be fresh on voters' minds when they go to the polls in November to pick all 100 House of Delegates seats.

Beginning Wednesday, stores will no longer be allowed to sell novelty cigarette lighters to juveniles. The lighters resembling cartoon characters, toys, guns or other things children might find amusing must be kept out of reach to the public, and any clerk who sells one to a minor will face up to a $100 fine.

Maine became the first state to ban novelty lighters last year, and several states have followed.

The bill was backed by firefighters, but opponents argued it didn't make sense to ban them because children can still buy regular lighters.

New laws will allow courts to suspend a minor's driver's license if the student misses 10 consecutive days of school and will prohibit mopeds from being driven on interstates.

Lawmakers also stepped in to settle a dispute between the Virginia State Board of Elections and civil rights groups that sued over the board's ruling last fall that voters could not wear political T-shirts, buttons or other paraphernalia to the polls.

The board cited a state law that outlaws electioneering within 40 feet of the polling place. Opponents said the rule violated free speech rights. Lawmakers decided the political apparel was OK, and the groups recently dropped their lawsuit.

Also beginning Wednesday, localities must attempt to sell guns they collect in buyback programs — except machine guns and sawed-off shotguns — to licensed dealers before destroying them.

Opponents argued the new law defeats the purpose of the buyback programs, which give gun owners something for their unwanted weapon so authorities can get guns off the streets.

Beginning Wednesday it also will be easier for gun owners to get a concealed carry permit. Legislators overrode Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's veto of a bill that will allow those applying for a permit to complete the required firearms training online or by video.

Kaine objected because there was no way to prove the person who wants the permit is the one who completed the course.

And while every year there are laws passed to create specialty license plates for various causes or organizations — there are more than 200 available — legislators approved one this year to establish a "Choose Life" plate for abortion opponents.

Virginia joins 23 other states that offer the "Choose Life" plate — some after lengthy court battles.

The plate passed despite abortion rights advocates' warnings that it would funnel money into unlicensed, anti-abortion pregnancy clinics.

After the first 1,000 plates are sold, $15 of the $25 annual fee would go to a handful of crisis pregnancy centers supported by Heartbeat International, a Christian pregnancy resource organization.

Under state law, more than 350 people must sign up for a plate before the Department of Motor Vehicles can produce it.

A DMV spokeswoman said there had been some inquiries about the plate, but that the department would not begin processing applications until after Wednesday. Shawn Doran of the Richmond Coalition for Life, which pushed for the plate, said the organization has received more than 500 prepaid applications.

Barb Kampbell of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected].

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