Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Northam breaks first tie - on teenage driving

Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam broke his first tie in the Senate of Virginia Jan. 23. Northam voted on a bill that addresses the leading cause of death for teenage drivers.

SB 139 passed the Senate of Virginia, 20-19, with Northam supporting the measure that would make the use of a cell phone while driving by a provisional license holder a primary offense.

Texting while driving has become the leading cause of death for teenagers across the country, accounting annually for almost 3,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries, according to a news release from the lieutenant governor’s office.

“This is a commonsense measure that will protect our teenagers and save lives,” said Northam.

He was quoted as saying, “As a children’s doctor, I have witnessed firsthand in my hospital the physical, emotional, and financial damage that results when young people talk and text on their cell phones while driving. Our provisional license holders are our most inexperienced drivers on the road and this measure will help curb this dangerous practice that has overcome drinking and driving as the leading cause of death for our teenage drivers.”