Home > Blogs > Jeff Pearl > Jeff Pearl's Local VA and MD Blog

VA- It's Illegal to use Handheld Devices to Text or Email When Driving

By Jeff Pearl

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA

April 13, 2013 10:44 PM

Texting while driving is against the law. So is trying to read emails on your cell phone. This year, the General Assembly made it a primary offense to text while driving, meaning that is all that a police officer needs to see to pull you over. Fines were also increased from $20.00 to $125.00 for first offense, and $250.00 for second offense. Loudoun Sheriff Mike Chapman reports 11 crashes this year have been directly related to drivers who were texting while driving. See public service video below by Loudoun VA Commonwealth Attorney Jim Plowman and Loudoun VA Sheriff Mike Chapman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6LHwq7Bfiw

More information on the laws and dangers of texting while driving can be found here.

www.distraction.gov

car wreck

Attention Buyers, Sellers, Realtors- I will return your calls and texts when it's safe to do so. Not while I'm driving.

Jeff Pearl / Lic in VA

Remax Distinctive- Reston, Mclean, Arlington VA

703-727-4876

Homes / Land / Farms / Historic

www.jeffpearlhomes.com

logo

Re-Blog

Featured

Comments(33)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Helen and Larry Prier- Re-Max Gateway - Residential Real Estate

RE-MAX Gateway- Residential Real Estate Sales - Anacortes, WA

Anacortes & surrounding Skagit & Island Counties

It should be banned in every State. I cannot believe that people would actually text while driving at any speed. Good idea Jeff about reporting!

Apr 14, 2013 01:04 AM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

#14- Hi Helen and larry, Yes, it should. People are just too inconsiderate these days when driving. I see it just about everyday. Peopel can write down tag#, description of driver, time, location, etc, and call police. Police can vist that operson later at their home. And if someone is wrecklessly endangering your life while driving, even if a police officer doesn't see t, you can still report it, and even go to the magistrates office and swear out a warrant for the other driver. Best if police do respond and get the drivers info.

Apr 14, 2013 01:51 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

It is so frightening how many people are still distracted by their phone while driving. Too frightening!

Apr 14, 2013 01:54 AM

Brian Schulman

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA

Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

Jeff, this is a timely topic & a valuable reminder for us all to be safe. Congrats on your featured post.

Apr 14, 2013 02:11 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good reminder to be safe while driving. I am delighted to see this new law and hope that it is actively enforced. Another blogger mentioned that the liability for accidents may extend to the broker.

Apr 14, 2013 02:28 AM

Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES

Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA

REALTOR and Broker

Texting while driving is insane. I've seen some close calls of people apparently texting. I just wonder how a cop will prove it if challenged in court.

Apr 14, 2013 02:31 AM

Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV

Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA

Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Jeff, this is one of those things that makes me crazy. I had to wait in traffic the other day while the woman in front of me finished her text. It took a change of lights. I think the 20+ people behind me were just as preturbed. I did have a lady pass me in NC last year who was texting at 70+ mph. That made me a bit nervous too. Yeow!

Apr 14, 2013 05:12 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

They should make it illegal everywhere as far as I'm concerned! And they should require hands-free devices to talk while driving.

Apr 14, 2013 06:54 AM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Jeff- I fully support not texting or emailing when driving. They've done studies that show that drinking and eating can be just as distracting! But, yes.. no texting or emailing.

Apr 14, 2013 07:10 AM

Yoni Miller

Advanced Commission - Boca Raton, FL

To be honest I don't think any law will prohibit texting or using your phone while driving. They have made tons of laws about wearing seat-belts and people still do not do it. I think as a society we need to do more to educate people and encourage them to not use cell phones rather then force them by laws. I think this is a serious problem but this is not the serious solution we need. People need to not want to text while driving, not be forced not to.

Apr 14, 2013 07:33 AM

Chuck Ward Local Video Marketing

Florida Mobile Fusion Mobile, Marketing, Local SEO - Tampa, FL

SMS Marketing, Google Plus Local Pages

i see way to many flaws in this

What if I am using my mobile device as a navigation device ??

A police officer has no way to distinquish between me reading emails, replying to text messages or using a map app on the phone and therefore pulls me over

Yeah, I got problems with that one -- I think (IMHO) that law should be repealed and made a secondary offense

But again, IMHO (n my humble opinion)

Apr 14, 2013 08:33 AM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

#16- Hi Sharon, It is frightening, especially how so many peopel disregard the safety of others while driving. Thanks!

#17- Hi Brian, I think they'll make it stricter if this doesn't help. Peopel need to pay attention to other drivers, as well as bikes and pedestrians. Thanks.

#18- Hi Roy, I guess we'll see how well they can enforce it. Maybe eventually they'll just say no phone calls while driving? Thanks!

#19- Hi Gary, it's just reckless diregard for others. Police can supeona phone records and match time of stop to time on text messages. I suppose they can ask to see the phone, but you don't have to let them. They can decide to charge you with something else like " failing to pay full time and attention".

#20- SPAM

#21- Hi Mike, Me too. That lady would have been hearing my horn That is just ridiculous how people like that don't think about anyone but themselves. Thanks.

#22- Hi Nina, That's what doesn't make sense, hands free use is legal and allowed, so why don't more people just get a hands free device? They can talk insted of text. thanks.

#23- Hi Kathy, That's true. All studies show it's dangerous and increases your chance of being in an accident. Thanks!

#24- Hi Yoni, That will prove to be true as well. Many people still drink and drive even though they know it's illegal. But maybe peopel will be more careful if they know they can get a 125.00 - 250.00 fine. Thanks.

#25- Hi Chuck, Actually, you can use it for GPS, just not texting or emailing. I think most cops can tell the difference. I can tell when people are texting. If your driving is being affected, you are swerving, or speeds are up and down, they can stop you anyway. I suppose they can ask you soem questions, and I'll bet mmany people will say they were texting, and also claim that they didn't know it was illegal. It started as a secondary in VA, but that was useless from a cops point of view. DC and MD have stricter laws where you can't talk on your phone while driving. VA might enact that eventually? timne will tell if it does any good. Thanks,

Apr 14, 2013 09:09 AM

Gina Chirico

Lattimer Realty - Fairfield, NJ

Real Estate Agent - Essex County, New Jersey

Here in New Jersey, it is illegal to use a handheld device while driving. No talking, texting, reading emails, surfing the web, etc., etc., etc.! Although my husband is a truck driver and a cb (which is also a handheld device) is not illegal to use while driving!

Apr 14, 2013 11:19 AM

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366

Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA

General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Jeff - Great reminder to those in all states; it is a distraction whether it's legal or not.

Apr 14, 2013 01:23 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Jeff - it has been like that in california for awhile. It still happens though.

Apr 14, 2013 01:29 PM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

#27- Hi Gina, That's good. hopefully more states will make it illegal! Thanks.

#28- Hi Tom, Thanks- It is a dsitraction, and a dangerous one. Thansk!

#29- Hi Christine, Yes, there will always be peopel who think the laws don't apply to them. peopel still get arreeted for driving drunk no matter how many hundreds of times they've been told it's illegal.

Apr 14, 2013 08:29 PM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

And to think people need to be told with laws not to do this! Sounds like a VA money grab to me! Says he, tongue in cheek.

I talk to my dashboard to phone or text. I push a button on my steering wheel. It's easy.

Apr 14, 2013 09:05 PM

Wayne Zuhl

Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ

The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Jeff great post. This should be a primary offense in every state and the penalties should be severe!

Apr 15, 2013 02:23 AM

Jeff Pearl

RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA

Full Service Full Time Realtor

#31- Hi Jay, I know Jay, makes you wonder how people would act if there were no laws. It's really not hard to set up a hands free or voice activated system. thansk.

#32- Hi Wayen and Jean, Yes, it should be. I think many states are heading in that direction. Thanks.

Apr 15, 2013 04:17 AM

Kevin Mackessy

Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO

Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

These sorts of laws should be all over the country, you put yourself and others at risk anytime you decide to check on texts or email while driving. Just last week a UNC student killed himself by rolling off a cliff trying to send a text to his roommate that said "Thanks man. See you soon". That isn't worth your life, nor is it something that can't wait until you're done driving.

Apr 15, 2013 05:15 AM

Older Post

Newer Post

VA- It's Illegal to use Handheld Devices to Text or Email When Driving

Comments(33)

Jeff Pearl

Service Areas

Real Estate Resources