With only a $20 fine a first offense, Virginia has one of the weakest distracted driving laws in the country. But police are looking to combat this using an old law. By charging a person with failure to “pay full time and attention” while driving, the person may be faced with a $250 fine while using a phone or texting while driving. If you have been charged with this crime, a Fairfax traffic violations attorney can help get this fine reduced and get this ticket dismissed.
Fairfax Traffic Violations Attorney on Distracted Driving Tickets
Many states are adopting much stricter laws regarding texting and talking on the phone while driving. Because the Virginia law is so weak, many are looking for other ways to stop people from engaging in this activity. To receive a citation for texting while driving in Virginia, a person needs to admit that they were texting. If they say they were checking a phone number or looking at a GPS, the officer will not be allowed to issue a distracted driving ticket.
This “pay full time and attention” law, however, gives police a broad range of ways to give out a ticket. Normally once reserved for those who caused an accident, it is now being used to pull over people for a variety of activities, including:
- Texting
- Eating
- Shaving
- Talking on a cell phone
If you have gotten a ticket for failure to pay full time and attention while driving, contact a Fairfax traffic violations attorney. The Law Office of Wilfred Ward Yeargan can work to get your fine reduced and keep points off your license. This can keep your insurance rates from increasing and prevent serious penalties that result from accumulating too many points against your license. To speak to a Fairfax traffic violations attorney, contact our office right away.