Tougher texting while driving bill passes General Assembly
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Posted By WSLS Staff
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Legislation to toughen the penalties for texting while driving is on its way to Gov. Bob McDonnell's desk.
Without debate, the Senate voted 28-12 Tuesday to pass a House bill increasing the fine for a first offense from $20 to $250. The fine for a second or subsequent offense would go up from $50 to $500.
The legislation also changes texting while driving to a primary offense, allowing police to stop and ticket offenders. Currently it's a secondary offense, which means drivers can only be cited if they're stopped for another violation such as speeding.
Another provision of the bill says anyone convicted of reckless driving faces a mandatory minimum $500 fine if the driver was texting at the time of the offense.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:04 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:04:45 GMT
Sheriff Kevin Hall says after 24-year old Ashley Rodriguez didn't show up for work Monday morning they did a welfare check and talked to her husband, Manuel Rodriguez a couple times.
Visitation and funeral for Ashley Kimberlin Rodriguez also set
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:13 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:13:03 GMT
WSLS is working together with Southwest Virginia relief organizations to collect supplies for victims of the EF-4 tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma.Danville based God's Pit Crew will join WSLS and
Randy Johnson of GPC describes this as a massive relief effort, and a "Katrina moment."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:38 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:38:00 GMT
When you think of a good place to eat lunch chances are the Crossroads Mall area doesn't come to mind. But within the last six months that stretch of Hershberger Road has added two popular chains, Cookout
With the help of national chains like Cookout and Steak'n Shake, the Crossroads Mall area is getting popular again.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:13 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:13:26 GMT
The WSLS crew is heading out on the road with God's Pit Crew Wednesday morning. The group helps people across the nation during times of crisis and devastation. They've responded to more than 60 disasters
The group has responded to more than 60 disasters in 22 states and four countries. The founder say this may one of the biggest challenges yet.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:13 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:13:03 GMT
WSLS is working together with Southwest Virginia relief organizations to collect supplies for victims of the EF-4 tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma.Danville based God's Pit Crew will join WSLS and
Randy Johnson of GPC describes this as a massive relief effort, and a "Katrina moment."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:07:45 GMT
Congressman Bob Goodlatte's office news releaseWASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Goodlatte announced that Patricia Byars, a senior at E.C. Glass High School, was selected as the winner of the Sixth
Patricia Byars, a senior at E.C. Glass High School, was selected as the winner of the Sixth Congressional District's 2013 Congressional Art Competitio
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:56 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:56:25 GMT
BOB LEWISAP Political Writer RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia has the go-ahead for a major cost-saving experiment that simplifies and consolidates care for people eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
Gov. Bob McDonnell's Commonwealth Coordinated Care program clears one of several hurdles necessary before the state will allow the expansion of Medicaid to 400,000 Virginia working poor
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:55:35 GMT
Roanoke City Police are searching for two men, who officers say wore werewolf costume masks to rob a convenience store.According to police department spokeswoman Aisha Johnson, the robbery took place at
Robbers targeted the One Stop Market in the 4300 block of Williamson Road, on Sunday evening
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:42:31 GMT
An investigation is underway in Rocky Mount involving the death of a three month old baby, according the Rocky Mount Police Chief, David Cundiff. Chief Cundiff said the three month old died Sunday and
The three month old died Sunday and appeared to have suffered trauma, though police are awaiting autopsy results
