Richmond’s Democratic Mayor announcedWednesdayplans to introduce two local laws to improve public safety. They’re both measures that didn’t pass in Virginia’s Republican-controlled statehouse.
At the next City Council meeting Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney will propose a $125 fine for anyone distracted by a cellphone while driving.
State law makes it illegal to text and drive, but because doing anything else on your phone while driving - say checking Instagram - isn’t illegal, police say it’s difficult to enforce.
Efforts to make it illegal to use a phone while driving statewide have failed in the statehouse multiple times.
Levar Stoney is also proposing an ordinance he says will help reduce gun violence. It would require city residents report lost or stolen guns to the police.
A similar measure has also failed at the statehouse multiple times.
At a press conference announcing the move, Mayor Stoney called Virginia’s Republican majority spineless
“We all need to play a role in keeping our communities safe and we can no longer wait for the General Assembly to act,” said Stoney.
Richmond’s City Council still has to give their stamp of approval.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
