Penalties for texting while driving are reduced while tax on fuel-efficient vehicles remain…

So while a majority of Virginia’s legislators decided it was a good idea to impose a tax on fuel-efficient hybrid cars, many of these same legislators also thought it was a good idea to follow Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposal to reduce fines of those caught texting while driving. Absolutely brilliant!

At present, $20 is assessed for first offenses and $50 for second-time offenders. However, the transportation package that was passed before the end of the regular session of the General Assembly increased fines to $250 and $500, respectively. $500 was also set as the minimum fine for a conviction for reckless driving while texting.

Now, with the approval of Bob McDonnell’s proposal, both of these fines are being cut in half to $125 and $250, respectively. According to The Virginian-Pilot, both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly approved McDonnell’s proposal “by wide margins” on Wednesday. Brilliant!

One non-asinine aspect of the newly approved legislation is making texting while driving a primary offense, an upgrade from its current secondary offense status. As a primary offense, Virginia police can stop anyone they catch texting while driving and hand them a ticket.

If you’re one of those drivers who text while driving and are upset about the new legislation, then tough noogies. As a country we take for granted that we are maneuvering an object that weighs thousands of pounds, oftentimes at high speeds. That is, with driving comes the responsibility to be a safe driver and texting while driving doesn’t fit the bill.

As such, a $250 and $500 fine structure would have been A-okay with me. Maybe then we wouldn’t need extra traffic lanes on I-95 because drivers will actually be paying attention to the road (yes, drivers actually text on I-95!).

And by raising the fines for texting while driving on individuals who clearly lack a sense of how much risk they are putting themselves and others on the road at, the blasphemous hybrid car tax could be eliminated.

In this way, Virginians who care about saving money on gas and maybe even helping the planet can remain unpenalized while folks who increase the dangers of driving can face stiffer penalties for their carelessness. 

What about this scheme doesn’t make sense? Of course, I’m making the audacious assumption that most members of Virginia’s General Assembly have good sense most of the time.