Virginia Sheriffs’ Encourage Governor Northam to Expand Distracted Driving Legislation to All Highways

~Currently applies to highway work zones~

Richmond, VA – The Virginia Sheriffs’ Association encourages Governor Northam to amend SB 1768, Senator Mason’s distracted driving bill to apply to all highways. Currently Senator Mason’s SB1768 provides for a mandatory fine of $250 for any one who reads an email or text message on a handheld device and manually enters letters or text in the device as a means of communicating in highway work zones.

Virginia Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director John W. Jones is calling for the expansion of this bill. “It frankly should apply to all highways, not only highway work zones.”  

King George County Sheriff Steve Dempsey and President of the Virginia Sheriffs’ Association, adds that “expanding this legislation to all highways is only logical to protect drivers across the Commonwealth, members of public safety and all who traverse Virginia’s highways.”

Governor Northam has until March 26th to act on SB 1768 (Mason) in advance of the 2019 Veto Session.