Will Texting and Driving be a Thing of the Past in Virginia?

Motorists chatting on cell phones or fiddling with mobile devices are a common sight on Virginia roads.  What is particularly unnerving is drivers who try to send text messages while behind the wheel.  This dangerous phenomenon has been dubbed DWT (“driving while texting”) by some experts – and it could be illegal if Virginia lawmakers have their way.

House Bill 1876 is before lawmakers in Richmond right now, and it will be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee later this week.  The bill, sponsored by Delegate John Cosgrove, has already been approved by the House of Delegates and has the support of AAA Mid-Atlantic.

If the bill passes, Virginia will join seven other states with bans on text messaging while driving a motor vehicle.  More states could join the fold, as 34 other states have legislation pending.  Some states have already targeted teen drivers, but there is pressure from lawmakers, safety experts, and insurers to ban DWT for drivers of all ages.

The use of mobile devices while driving is controversial, however up to 80% of drivers have admitted to making cell phone calls while driving and 33% of Virginians have admitted to texting while driving.  Out of all 50 states Virginia ranks 6^th in text message volume, meaning the ban could affect a large number of drivers.

It remains to be seen if the bill will make it through the Virginia Senate.  A ban on driving while texting has been tried several times before, but each previous attempt has failed.  Approval of this ban would show that Virginia lawmakers are taking a no-nonsense approach to the increasing danger that distracted drivers pose on Virginia roads and highways.