Update on 2/26/2018: Due to the hard work of many of you, HB181, a bill to strengthen the distracted driving law in Virginia, reported from Senate Courts Committee today! While this is great news, there is still a lot of work to ensure that this bill will pass. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Please take a moment and use THIS LINK to identify and then contact YOUR STATE SENATOR as the bill will now be considered by the entire SENATE and voted on as early as this WEDNESDAY! Please encourage your company, your co-workers, your government relations folks, your church, neighbors… whomever… to help us with this important initiative. Our elected officials work very hard and are swamped with many issues during the session. It is our job as citizens of the Commonwealth to let them know what issues are important to us, so please take a moment to share your support for this measure.
See below for talking points on what to include in your letter to your Senator
2/21/2018: From our friends at Drive Smart Virginia:
This Week, Virginia Delegates Will Vote on an Important Distracted Driving Bill and WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Due to the hard work of many of you, HB181, a bill to ban handheld phone use on Virginia roadways, reported from House Courts Committee today. While this is great news, there is still a lot of work to ensure that this bill will pass. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Please take a moment and use THIS LINK to identify and then contact YOUR HOUSE DELEGATE as the bill will now be considered by the entire House of Delegates and voted on as early as this THURSDAY. Please encourage your company, your co-workers, your government relations folks, your church, neighbors… whomever… to help us with this important initiative. Our elected officials work very hard and are swamped with many issues during the session. It is our job as citizens of the Commonwealth to let them know what issues are important to us, so please take a moment to share your support for this measure.
Sample Message to Legislator
- Keep it short and sweet. Subject line should be: VOTE YES ON HB181 to ban handheld phone use in Virginia
- Suggested content for email or phone discussion:
Last year, Virginia traffic fatalities increased 11% from 2016 fatalities. The National Safety Council estimates that at least 25% of all crashes can be attributed to distracted driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that texting (or manipulating a wireless device) increases crash risk by 23 times, or 2300%.
HB181 provides that any person who drives a vehicle on any highway while using a handheld personal communications device where such use substantially diverts the driver’s attention from the operation of the vehicle is guilty of improper driving. This is punishable as a traffic infraction with a fine of not more than $500. Please support HB181.
Finally, make sure that you are clear in that you are a constituent! Include your address in the signature line of your email or mention this during your phone call. THANK YOU in advance for your help!
