Bill Text: VA HB181 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Improper driving; use of handheld communication device while driving vehicle.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-10 - Failed to pass [HB181 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2018-HB181-Amended.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §46.2-1078.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§46.2-1078.1. Use of handheld personal communications devices in certain motor vehicles; exceptions; penalty.
A. It is unlawful for any person to operate a moving motor
vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth while using any handheld personal
communications device to:
1. Manually enter multiple letters or text in the device as
a means of communicating with another person; or
2. Read any email or text message transmitted to the device
or stored within the device, provided that this prohibition shall not apply to
any name or number stored within the device nor to any caller identification
information unless the handheld personal communications device is
specifically designed and configured to allow voice and hands-free operation
and the device is being used in that manner.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
1. The operator of any emergency vehicle while he is engaged in the performance of his official duties;
2. An operator who is lawfully parked or stopped;
3. The use of factory-installed or aftermarket global
positioning systems (GPS) or wireless communications devices used to transmit
or receive data as part of a digital dispatch system; or
4. The use of a handheld personal communications device for purposes of navigation or generating audio transmission, provided that such device is physically mounted to the vehicle;
5. The use of an amateur radio or a citizens band radio;
6. An operator who activates, deactivates, or initiates a factory-installed feature or function on the vehicle;
7. The operator of any Department of Transportation vehicle or vehicle operated pursuant to the Department of Transportation safety service patrol program or pursuant to a contract with the Department of Transportation for, or that includes, traffic incident management services as defined in subsection B of §46.2-920.1, during the performance of traffic incident management services; or
8. Any person using a handheld personal communications device to report or in response to an emergency.
C. A violation of this section is a traffic infraction punishable, for a first offense, by a fine of $125 and, for a second or subsequent offense, by a fine of $250.
D. For the purposes of this section, "emergency vehicle" means:
1. Any law-enforcement vehicle operated by or under the direction of a federal, state, or local law-enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties;
2. Any regional detention center vehicle operated by or under the direction of a correctional officer responding to an emergency call or operating in an emergency situation;
3. Any vehicle used to fight fire, including publicly owned state forest warden vehicles, when traveling in response to a fire alarm or emergency call;
4. Any emergency medical services vehicle designed or used for
the principal purpose of supplying resuscitation or emergency medical
services relief where human life is endangered;
5. Any Department of Emergency Management vehicle or Office of Emergency Medical Services vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or operating in an emergency situation;
6. Any Department of Corrections vehicle designated by the Director of the Department of Corrections, when (i) responding to an emergency call at a correctional facility, (ii) participating in a drug-related investigation, (iii) pursuing escapees from a correctional facility, or (iv) responding to a request for assistance from a law-enforcement officer; and
7. Any vehicle authorized to be equipped with alternating, blinking, or flashing red or red and white secondary warning lights pursuant to §46.2-1029.2.
D. E. Distracted driving shall be included as a
part of the driver's license knowledge examination.
