SENATE BILL NO. 1032 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 9, 2007 A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-373 of the Code of Virginia, relating to accident reporting; cellular phones and other wireless communication devices. ---------- Patron-- O'Brien ---------- Referred to Committee on Transportation ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 46.2-373 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-373. Report by law-enforcement officer investigating accident.

A. Every law-enforcement officer who in the course of duty investigates a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent extent of $1,000 or more, either at the time of and at the scene of the accident or thereafter and elsewhere, by interviewing participants or witnesses shall, within twenty-four hours after completing the investigation, forward a written report of the accident to the Department. The report shall include the name or names of the insurance carrier or of the insurance agent of the automobile liability policy on each vehicle involved in the accident.

B. Any report filed pursuant to subsection A of this section shall include information as to (i) the speed of each vehicle involved in the accident, and (ii) the type of vehicles involved in all accidents between passenger vehicles and vehicles or combinations of vehicles used to transport property, and (iii) whether any trucks involved in such accidents were covered or uncovered, and (iv) whether the use of a cellular phone or other wireless communication device was a factor in the accident.

C. The Department shall supply copies of accident reports received under this section to the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner who shall exercise the authority granted to him under §§ 46.2-870 through 46.2-878 to reduce speed limits where accident frequency or severity or other factors may indicate the course of action to be warranted.