Phone Down, It’s the Law

On July 1, 2020, it became illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device (e.g., a smart phone) while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways in Virginia. The new law did not become effective until January 1st, 2021, to allow for educating the public about the new law. You can still talk on the phone, but you may not hold your phone. The General Assembly mandated that traffic safety organizations like DRIVE SMART Virginia to develop and provide educational materials to the public prior to its effective date. Visit www.drivesmartva.org for more information.