SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2020 SESSION

  • | print version

HB 1439 Transportation safety; adopting several initiatives.

Introduced by: Jerrauld C. "Jay" Jones | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Transportation safety. Adopts several initiatives related to transportation and safety, including (i) making it illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle; (ii) requiring all passengers in a vehicle to wear safety belts and making failure to wear a safety belt a primary offense; (iii) prohibiting the use of handheld personal communication devices; (iv) establishing a speed monitoring program in highway safety corridors that uses a vehicle sensor to take a picture of a vehicle traveling more than 10 miles over the speed limit, subjecting the driver to a monetary fine; and (v) allowing localities to lower the speed limit below 25 miles per hour in business and residential districts. The bill directs the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish an advisory committee to oversee education and training materials and implementation and enforcement of policies such as the bill's safety belt and handheld personal communications device provisions. The bill decreases the frequency of vehicle inspections from every 12 months to every 24 months. The bill contains numerous technical amendments.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Transportation safety. Adopts several initiatives related to transportation and safety, including: (i) making it illegal to possess an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, (ii) requiring all passengers in a vehicle to wear safety belts and making failure to wear a safety belt a primary offense, (iii) prohibiting the use of handheld personal communication devices, (iv) establishing a speed monitoring program in highway safety corridors that uses a vehicle sensor to take a picture of a vehicle traveling more than 10 miles over the speed limit, subjecting the driver to a monetary fine, and (v) allowing localities to lower the speed limit below 25 miles per hour in business and residential districts. The Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles will establish an advisory committee to oversee education and enforcement of policies such as the seatbelt and hands-free provisions. The bill also changes the vehicle inspection safety program to only require inspections of salvage vehicles that have been rebuilt for highway use, converted electric vehicles, and off-road motorcycles that have been converted to on-road use. The bill contains numerous technical amendments.