As of 01.01.2021 it is illegal in the entirety of Virginia to use any handheld personal communications device while operating a motor vehicle on a public road. A driver can still talk on their phone, however, as long as it is hands free through technology such as Bluetooth

There are some exceptions:

1. The operator of any emergency vehicle while he is engaged in the performance of his official duties;

2. An operator who is lawfully parked or stopped;

3. The use of factory-installed or aftermarket global positioning systems (GPS) or wireless communications devices used to transmit or receive data as part of a digital dispatch system; or

4. Any person using a handheld personal communications device to report an emergency.

Extending this law to all roads where an individual can operate a motor vehicle is in efforts to make all roadways safer. An estimated 52 percent of car accidents occur within 5 miles of a person's home, and 77 percent occur within 15 miles or less.

If you want to read more about this new law, please click on the source link located below:

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/.../chap.../section46.2-1078.1/

Stay safe and hands-free on the roadways!

If you or family or friends experience a work accident that occurred in your home, or anything else related to your workers’ compensation case, please give us a call at 800-884-9507.