How the New Virginia Driving Laws Affect You

Did you know there are over 6 million car accidents in the United States every year? Today, 90 people will die in a car accident. You are 23 times more likely to crash while texting and driving.

It is obvious people are still not paying attention on the roads. Several new laws were passed in the state of Virginia which went into effect at the beginning of July. They are aimed at making the roads safer, and you are going to want to know how these laws affect you.

Here are some of the new laws governing the roads of Virginia:

Holding Your Phone While Driving in a Work Zone in Virginia is Illegal

Police car on the street on how the new driving laws affect youVirginia lawmakers were trying to pass a law to make it illegal for drivers to hold their phone while operating a motor vehicle. While they were not able to pass the law, they did pass legislation making it illegal to hold a communication device while driving through a highway work zone. The fine is $250 if you get ticketed for this violation.

Regardless of what the state laws state, it is a good idea not to hold your phone any time you are behind the wheel.

Expanding the “Move Over” Law

Virginia has raised the penalties if you fail to change lanes and move over for emergency vehicles, police and fire, and other vehicles that are stopped on the shoulder with their lights flashing.

It is now considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. You could receive one year in jail along and/or a fine of up to $2,500 if you are cited.

The Practice of Suspending Virginia Driver Licenses for Unpaid Court Fees Ends

In the Commonwealth, there are 627,000 people who are now eligible to get their driver’s license reinstated. As drivers, this means there will be more vehicles on the roadways. Lawmakers determined it was unfair to take away licenses due to unpaid court fees.

If you have been injured in a car accident by a distracted driver, Epperly & Follis, P.C. would like to help with your case. Give us a call at 804-648-6480 to schedule an appointment.

Related Articles

$650M in Pradaxa Blood Thinner Settlements, & More to Come

Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, can be life-saving medications for people at high risks of strokes…

Read More

Acid & Lead in Batteries Can Be Harmful to Your Health

“What you don’t know about your batteries could kill you!” shouts the headline of an article about safe battery use posted on Linkedin…

Read More

Are Elderly Drivers Safe?

Residents of Santa Monica, California will never forget the summer day 15 years ago, when an 86-year-old driver plowed his car through more than two blocks of t…

Read More

Free Consultation

We know the law, we know victims’ rights, and we want to help you make informed decisions about your personal injury case. Please contact Epperly & Follis, P.C today for a free legal consultation.

© 2023 Epperly & Follis, P.C. | Custom Website by Key Web Concepts