It has been more than a year since the state of Virginia implemented a ban on texting while driving.  And so far, the number of citations is less than expected.

According to a report from WDBJ7, police records do not show high numbers for texting while driving.  Roanoke County issued six citations for texting while driving, while Montgomery County issued only one.  Salem police officers have yet to issue a ticket for texting while driving.  Of the 134 cases that found their way into court, only 3 were dismissed.  The vast majority pleaded guilty.

Part of the explanation for the low numbers comes from the fact that the law is only of secondary enforcement.  Since police officers need to pull over drivers for another traffic violation before issuing a citation for texting while driving, it makes it more difficult to break the bad habit of Virginia motorists.

Most drivers questioned by WDBJ7 admitted that while texting while driving is dangerous, either they were doing it or saw someone doing it.

“It’s a difficult law to enforce because you really have to pay close attention to see if somebody is texting,” said local driver Nicholas Mirabile.

Texting while driving became illegal in Virginia on July 1, 2009.   First time violations translate into a $20 fine.  Subsequent offenses means a driver will receive a $50 fine.

Source: WBDJ 7 News, July 21, 2010

Related posts:

1. Almost 700 citations for texting while driving in Washington State
2. Illinois still adapting to new distracted driving laws
3. New York texting while driving ban not generating tickets
4. Ontario cell phone ban results in 470 fines in 30 days
5. Manitoba issues 22K$ in fines for texting while driving in one day