It will soon be illegal in Virginia to hold a phone while driving.
WAVY-TV reported that the new state law takes effect in January.
Authorities say that making the practice illegal and enforceable is an important step toward reducing deaths on the road.
“If you’re looking down at your phone, texting or checking an email, you’re not looking at the road and that can go so far, so badly, so fast,” Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that 80% of all crashes involve driver inattention.
“Last year, believe it or not, there were more than 23,000 – I’ll repeat that, 23,000 – crashes in Virginia that were caused by distracted driving, and 120 of those individuals lost their lives,” Northam said.
The General Assembly passed the new legislation earlier this year. Drivers can still talk on the phone. But they cannot hold the device. Drivers who are caught face a fine of $125.
Topics Personal Auto Virginia
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Record-Low Danube Water Levels Leave Boats Beached, Reveal Decades-Old Shipwrecks 
After 55 Years in Florida Insurance, Tom Lynch Reflects on Agencies, Changes Needed 
Company at Center of Cyclospora Outbreak Complained to White House, Source Says 
Lemonade Posts $43M Loss for Q2 as it Continues to Grow Customer Base 
