HB978: Improper driving; driving without full attention to operation of vehicle.

HOUSE BILL NO. 978

Offered January 8, 2020
Prefiled January 7, 2020
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-869 of the Code of Virginia, relating to improper driving.
Patron-- LaRock

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-869 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-869. Improper driving; penalty.

A. A person is guilty of improper driving who operates a motor vehicle upon the highways of the Commonwealth without (i) giving his full time and attention to the operation of the vehicle or (ii) keeping the vehicle under proper control at all times.

B. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this article, upon the trial of any person charged with reckless driving where the degree of culpability is slight, the court in its discretion may find the accused not guilty of reckless driving but guilty of improper driving. However, an attorney for the Commonwealth may reduce a charge of reckless driving to improper driving at any time prior to the court's decision and shall notify the court of such change.

C. Improper driving shall be punishable as a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $500.