New Virginia Legislation for Drivers Started July 1st

As of July 1st, many newly-passed laws have gone into effect in Virginia.  This year, much of the legislation will affect drivers.  Here are a few that Checkered Flag drivers should review.

From The Virginian-Pilot:

Hybrid tax

Owners of hybrid gasoline/electric cars screamed bloody murder after the 2013 Assembly levied a $64 annual tax on those vehicles as part of a larger transportation funding package. The tax unfairly penalized them for doing the right thing by helping reduce carbon emissions, hybrid owners complained.

Lawmakers heard the outcry and repealed the tax. Drivers who already have paid it for registration years beginning on or after July 1 will be due a refund.

E-ZPass fees

Motorists who pay tolls with a Virginia E-ZPass transponder no longer will be charged a monthly "account maintenance" fee.

Virginia now charges 50 cents to $1 per month for use of the electronic devices, depending on the model.

The charges have been a thorn in the side of Hampton Roads drivers who need E-ZPass transponders to get the lowest rates at the Midtown and Downtown tunnels, which were tolled beginning Feb. 1.

Regional transportation commission

A new regional entity, the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, will be empowered to determine how to spend some $200 million per year flowing to the area as a result of new regional sales and fuel taxes levied by the legislature last year.

The commission, which has bonding and tolling authority, is composed of the mayors and county board chairs of the 14 localities in Hampton Roads and five state lawmakers.

Bicycle passing clearance

The minimum legal clearance between a passing vehicle and a bicycle will increase from 2 to 3 feet - an effort to give cyclists an extra margin of safety.

The wider clearance also applies when passing an electric assistive mobility device, moped or animal-drawn vehicle.

For additional items, see the list at the source link below.

For more Virginia transportation law information, stay tuned to Checkered Flag.com.
 
Source: [pilotonline.com]