July 1st no text in VA FTL
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July 1st no text in VA FTL
FYI to all the iPhone, Blackerry types that text and drive....
Originally Posted by Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
[email
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov[/email]
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/news-releases/
News Release: 09/175/LHC]Think Before You Text
The Fairfax County Police Department urges motorists to pay full time and
attention when driving and reminds them that House Bill 1876 goes into effect on
Wednesday, July 1. The new law prohibits drivers from sending or reading text messages
and is punishable by a fine of $20.00 for the first offense and $50.00 for additional
infractions. Virginia is the ninth state in the nation to ban text messaging while driving.Commander of the Traffic Division, Captain Susan Culin, stresses that “the
primary responsibility of a driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. Driving requires
one’s full attention and focus.” There were 14,078 traffic crashes in Fairfax County in
2008. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver
distraction (from all sources) contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported crashes.
In the past, without a specific law pertaining to text messaging behind the wheel,
officers charged violators with failure to pay full time and attention, a problem that is
clearly on the rise. In 2008, Fairfax County Police officers charged 4,303 drivers, an
increase from 3,317 arrests in 2007.National Distracted Driving Week, led by the National Safety Council, runs June
22 – 28, 2009 and police join them in reminding motorists of the importance of educating
and influencing people on how to help prevent accidental injury and death.
Learn more about new Virginia laws, and tips on avoiding distracted driving, at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police. Watch the latest edition of F.C.P.D. Newsline where PFC
Joe Moore describes several traffic laws motorists need to know.
###
To request this information in an alternate format, call the Public Information Office at 703.246.2253. TTY 703-204-2264
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/news-releases/
News Release: 09/175/LHC]Think Before You Text
The Fairfax County Police Department urges motorists to pay full time and
attention when driving and reminds them that House Bill 1876 goes into effect on
Wednesday, July 1. The new law prohibits drivers from sending or reading text messages
and is punishable by a fine of $20.00 for the first offense and $50.00 for additional
infractions. Virginia is the ninth state in the nation to ban text messaging while driving.Commander of the Traffic Division, Captain Susan Culin, stresses that “the
primary responsibility of a driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. Driving requires
one’s full attention and focus.” There were 14,078 traffic crashes in Fairfax County in
2008. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver
distraction (from all sources) contributes to 25 percent of all police-reported crashes.
In the past, without a specific law pertaining to text messaging behind the wheel,
officers charged violators with failure to pay full time and attention, a problem that is
clearly on the rise. In 2008, Fairfax County Police officers charged 4,303 drivers, an
increase from 3,317 arrests in 2007.National Distracted Driving Week, led by the National Safety Council, runs June
22 – 28, 2009 and police join them in reminding motorists of the importance of educating
and influencing people on how to help prevent accidental injury and death.
Learn more about new Virginia laws, and tips on avoiding distracted driving, at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police. Watch the latest edition of F.C.P.D. Newsline where PFC
Joe Moore describes several traffic laws motorists need to know.
###
To request this information in an alternate format, call the Public Information Office at 703.246.2253. TTY 703-204-2264
I really dont think this is a bad thing.... I know I used to be able to txt without looking but that is impossible on the iphone. And even then it is still dangerous. Plus you usually read a txt before you respond. No way in hell are you paying attention. Everyone is a worse driver when they are on the phone. I hope MD goes handsfree and no txting soon.
my .02
my .02
Last edited by Jgrizzle; Jun 24, 2009 at 07:03 AM.
Because people with other types of phones don't txt and drive? 
Don't single it out to just iphone/blackberry users.
What if you tell the office you were dialing a number and not texting?
Don't single it out to just iphone/blackberry users.
What if you tell the office you were dialing a number and not texting?
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Just ban phones altogether. I have been nearly hit 3 times in the last month by idiots who cannot drive and use a phone at the same time.
One time was a guy who drove through a red light. For some reason I braked on the green (thank god) other wise I would have been t-boned. Guy gives me this blank look as he holds his phone to his ear.
Then a woman pulls out of a parking garage right in front of me so I have to brake ******* hard almost hitting her. Guess what....on the phone. Doesnt even acknowleged me as she backs up, just carries on talking on the phone.
This weekend, on 66, woman abruptly swerves into my lane almost clips me. Yep you guess it, busy on the phone.
One time was a guy who drove through a red light. For some reason I braked on the green (thank god) other wise I would have been t-boned. Guy gives me this blank look as he holds his phone to his ear.
Then a woman pulls out of a parking garage right in front of me so I have to brake ******* hard almost hitting her. Guess what....on the phone. Doesnt even acknowleged me as she backs up, just carries on talking on the phone.
This weekend, on 66, woman abruptly swerves into my lane almost clips me. Yep you guess it, busy on the phone.
I do not think 4Shizzil was trying to single out iphone/blackberry users but just to make a point to everyone to watch it. I will admit those of us with keyboards on our phones can text easier then the T9 users
I had a woman rear end me one time in my DD. Mini van, talking on a phone. Finished her conversation before she got out of the car to exchange ins info..... Needless to say words I thought I would never call a woman came out of my mouth when she did open her door. I have never been so mad in my life
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I know when I do text it makes me pay less attention when I tell people im going to drive somewhere and they keep texting me I call them.. THen they dont answer and text me to see why I called. I get pissed off lol
It's not in MD yet, last time it came up it failed to get passed. With good reason too.
Txt? what about phone calls? what about eating? what about changing the radio station?
Bottom line, some people can do more then 1 thing at the time, and other people cannot turn the A/C on with out driving over the rumble strips.
People do txt way to much but when does it end? Also how do you enforce it? ask the person to show you the txt history? does that mean people will now delete each sent txt everytime they send one causing even more of a distraction?
I just hope this doesn't turn into a redlight camera/speed camera style of tickets where people will get tickets if guilty or not, the fee will be low enough that no one will care to go to court and argue about it..... $$$$$
Txt? what about phone calls? what about eating? what about changing the radio station?
Bottom line, some people can do more then 1 thing at the time, and other people cannot turn the A/C on with out driving over the rumble strips.
People do txt way to much but when does it end? Also how do you enforce it? ask the person to show you the txt history? does that mean people will now delete each sent txt everytime they send one causing even more of a distraction?
I just hope this doesn't turn into a redlight camera/speed camera style of tickets where people will get tickets if guilty or not, the fee will be low enough that no one will care to go to court and argue about it..... $$$$$
and/or just say you were using the gps on your phone, thats if you have it
I just have an issue with the way it might be enforced and what laws will follow.
I have a feeling a lot of BS tickets will be issued for people who a police officer thought was txting, again I bet it's a cheap enough ticket with zero points so people will say F it I'm not spending a day in court to fight it.