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What Happened: Way back in July 2020, while we were all still trying to figure out if there was a difference between Covid-19 and Coronavirus, and when we weren’t sure who’d be president come January 2021, Governor Northam signed into law SB160 which amends and reenacts Virginia’s law concerning the use of a cell phone as you drive. The new law takes effect on New Year’s Day 2021.
Why it matters to you: Before the new law, you could legally drive with a cell phone in your hand, as long as you weren’t typing into it, reading texts or e-mails, or driving through a work zone. Now, the meat of the law is changed as follows:
“A. It is unlawful for any person to operate, while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any, to hold a handheld personal communications device to: . . .”
This means you can’t even hold your phone in your hand, whether or not you’re talking on it, looking at it, or just waving it around aimlessly.
So what now?: If you get caught holding your phone while driving in Virginia after January 1, 2021, you can get a ticket of up to $250.00. Ouch.
How can I avoid holding my phone?: If your car is equipped with bluetooth, take a minute to set it up. It’s literally a 5 minute operation. If you don’t have bluetooth but you have an FM Radio (very nice!), you can buy one of these, which I purchased for my Grandpa Tommy’s ’06 Ford F-150.
What if I get a Ticket?: E-mail me, Call me at (804) 250-8911 or fill out the form available here.
TL;DR: PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN WHILE YOU’RE DRIVING.
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