Reckless driving; exceeding speed limit. (SB1578)

Introduced By

Sen. David Suetterlein (R-Salem)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Reckless driving; exceeding speed limit. Raises from 80 to 85 miles per hour the speed above which a person who drives a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth is guilty of reckless driving regardless of the applicable maximum speed limit. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2019Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/19 19101770D
01/09/2019Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/23/2019Reported from Transportation (11-Y 2-N) (see vote tally)
01/25/2019Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 1-N) (see vote tally)
01/28/2019Read second time and engrossed
01/28/2019Impact statement from DPB (SB1578)
01/29/2019Read third time and passed Senate (35-Y 5-N) (see vote tally)
02/04/2019Placed on Calendar
02/04/2019Read first time
02/04/2019Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/12/2019Assigned Courts sub: Subcommittee #1
02/13/2019Subcommittee recommends passing by indefinitely (5-Y 1-N)
02/19/2019Left in Courts of Justice

Comments

Wayne Wilcox writes:

Bad idea all around. Speed is the leading killer on our roads. Winking at ridiculously high speeds will only increase the problem.

John Mini writes:

Mr. Wilcox-

I feel you are missing the point. The current law does NOTHING to deter criminal negligence, with regard to speeding. If it does deter speeding, why aren't we the safest state in US to drive on? The law does not have the same impact for non-Virginia residents. In my opinion, the majority of the people speeding on our interstates are from another state. The current law is classified the same as a DUI and stays on your criminal record (yes, it's a crime) for life. If you are pulled over going 10 mph on I-81, you will be charged with reckless driving. This comes with a possible $2500.00 fine, 12 months in jail and your license suspended. For me, this would mean my job. The punishment doesn't fit the crime, not by a long shot. This is purely about revenue. Before you assume, no; I DON'T have a reckless driving ticket on my record BUT I almost did. I have a clean driving record (+5 points) and drive 40k miles a year.

Take a drive up and down I-81...how many signs do you see warning you about this law? Why do you think that is? Better yet, ask someone you know what they think the speed for reckless driving on 81 is? If the state wants to protect lives, educate their residents and STOP fleecing
their residents for traffic infractions.

Senator Suetterlein; I SUPPORT YOU!

Maybe next on the agenda should be the car inspection law and personal property tax. I am seriously thinking of leaving this state for all the reasons listed above. I have been a Virginia resident since 1983.

J