As of July 1, drivers in the United States will have to be attentive to new traffic regulations. A new law will be implemented in the State of Virginia whereby underage drivers will be subject to penalties and even imprisonment. The percentage of this infraction has increased and the authorities have tightened road safety laws. As a result of an accident where a young man lost his life in an accident where a minor was driving. The implementation of this new law has been made possible by the relentless struggle of the young man’s parents.
Virginia Regulations
Last January, Virginia state legislators passed a new law that will change the liability of drivers and vehicle owners forever. The legislation includes much stricter penalties than usual. It calls for fines of $2500 and jail time if necessary. But who is affected by this new regulation? Absolutely everyone. If you are the owner of the vehicle and a violation occurs even if you are not present, you will be legally responsible for it.
What is the purpose of this new regulation?
The answer to that question is provided by W. Chad Green, a member of the state House of Delegates, in his remarks to the Virginia Mercury, “It’s another tool that law enforcement will have to hold parents accountable”. This proposal began in January. Virginia state legislators agreed that it was necessary to strengthen the existing minimum legal age for drivers. It will affect not only the minor behind the wheel, but also the owner of the vehicle.
Even if he is not present at the time of the infraction, it will be he who will have to face the penalty, whether it is a fine or a jail sentence. In that case, they would be incurring a Class 1 felony by allowing an unlicensed minor to drive. With this law, it is intended that drivers’ license holders ensure that no minor or person who does not have a driver’s license uses their car. Green added to his statements, “Maybe with this legal change, parents and adults will say, ‘We’re not going to let this happen,’ and that could save lives.”
Personal motivations
Unfortunately, there are many cases of young people who have lost their lives in accidents of this type. This is the case of Tammy McGee’s son. He died in 2019 in a car accident driven by a minor without a driver’s license.Despite the traumatic experience, McGee founded the Gweedo Memorial Foundation. The name honors his son, known as Gweedo, whose real name was Joseph Conner Williams Guido. Through this association he aims to advocate for driver’s education for young people. He even participated in the passing of a law two years ago (2021), which requires the presence of parents in the driver’s education of minors.
It actively participates in legislative and outreach issues. He does this work through social networks, and even created a web platform through which they can anonymously report risky and illegal behavior on the roads. In his latest statements to the Virginia Mercury, he made it clear that he expects the new bill to comply with the section on providing practical road safety classes to minors.
Adding two new laws
In the same state and at the same time, legislators passed a law punishing those who carry out threats to spread rumors, shootings, bombings, or attacks on public streets (arson or destruction of street furniture), which are Class 5 felonies. In this case, we are talking about Class 5 felonies. It also includes Class 6 felonies, such as concealing, damaging, defrauding or stealing someone else’s mail.
It is more than likely that more regulations will be passed on different topics. However, the approval of the aforementioned is very relevant, since it not only provides practical training to young people, but also forces those who are irresponsible to stop being irresponsible (even if only to avoid paying a fine), and above all, to save lives.