In the Senate Transportation Committee this afternoon…
SB 264, motor vehicles not to follow ANY vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, patroned by Adam Ebbin, was quickly reported on to the full Senate with very little discussion.
Both bills patroned by George Barker, SB210 & SB219, which would move ANY use of a cell phone by a driver with a learner’s permit, and texting or emailing while driving by any drivers, up from a secondary to a primary offense, were reported, the latter with a few nays led by Carrico and McDougle, who were concerned with how a policeman could determine what a driver was doing with their cell phone from a distance, in order to stop them, since getting directions from a GPS and making phone calls (hand held) is NOT presently illegal. They have a point, and I sense this bill may have problems when it gets to the House, although the bill for those with learner’s permits should have no problems.
SB 199 patroned by Sen. Marsden, was continued until NEXT YEAR at the request of the patron, since on looking it over carefully he didn’t feel that in its present form it clearly addressed the problem, which he feels is classically illustrated right outside the building we were meeting in (9th & Broad). 9th is a one way street with 3 lanes (one turning left; one going straight; and one turning right) When the light at Broad turns green, pedestrians crossing Broad on each side of 9th, in marked crosswalks, have a green, as do the cars turning both left and right. Since the cars only have to Yield under the current law, you better pay attention if you are walking, as I can attest, since I make that crossing every time I go down there. The northern VA jurisdictions tried to get this bill through 7 or 8 times after the turn of the century, but it always failed, getting no support from the rural delegates. They did not bring the bill up for the last two years, and now are pulling this one, although there is a similar bill HB706 over in the House, which I will follow.
SB333 Carrico, which would bar mo-peds from all highways with speed limits of 35mph or higher, was not on the docket today, nor was SB101/Edwards which would permit Blacksburg to have bike lanes going in both directions on a street that is one way for motor vehicles. There has been a lot of discussion over whether the town doesn’t already have the authority to do this, but they want permission from the legislature anyway, and are proceeding to try to get it.
Thanks to all who responded on short notice and called their Senators on the Transportation Comm.
House Trans. meets tomorrow, but I don’t see anything on the docket that needs our attention.
I’ll share a very interesting discussion that came up during the meeting regarding what is done with the fines that are assessed for tickets issued by local police or sheriff’s depts. as they are assisting the State Police by patrolling segments of Interstate Highways that come through their territory. Apparently this has been a big revenue generator for the local jurisdictions involved, and an example was given of a section of I-295 that is patrolled by the Hopewell Police Dept. Be advised that they are ringing up a tremendous amount of revenue, giving speeding tickets only when the offender is clocked at 81 or higher (the posted limit is 70), which has led to a surprisingly (to me anyway) large number of tickets for over 100 mph, DUI, and assorted other infractions that carry some heavy penalties. If you use that section of 295, slow it down… since it apparently is a regular operating speed trap, or else you too will be contributing to the Hopewell Town budget.
Bud Vye
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