Virginia Legal*Political Blog

It would be illegal to send a text message while driving a car under a bill prefiled last month.

It also would be illegal to send a text message while riding a bike or operating a moped, under House Bill 1615, introduced by Del. Algie T. Howell Jr., D-Norfolk.

A violation would be a traffic infraction punishable by a $20 fine. A second or subsequent offense would get you a $50 fine. The measure wouldn’t apply to the entry of telephone numbers or a name when making just a phone call.

By the way, a texting-while-driving measure also was introduced last year, by Del. William M. Scott, D-Merrifield. It died in the House Transportation committee.

By Paul Fletcher