(Originally published July 1, 2010 and update below on July 1, 2020.)
Virginia's new law increasing the speed limit from 65 mph to 70 mph went into affect yesterday, July 1, 2010.
The first of many locations to raise their speed limit was in the Richmond area on Interstate 295. An area of the highway from Prince George County to Henrico County raised the speed limit from 65 to 70 mph. Virginia Reckless Driving Speeding Lawyer Bob Battle stated that this area is already a huge speed trap especially in the portions in Hopewell and Henrico County.
Bob Battle was interviewed by CBS6 News' Mark Holmgren to explain that, since the Virginia Reckless Driving Speeding Law (Virginia Code Section 46.2-862) remains unchanged and that any speed above 80 mph is "Reckless Driving," that the increased speed limit will lead to a huge increase in Reckless Driving Speeding tickets. Reckless Driving Speeding is a criminal misdemeanor in Virginia.
To view the interview click CBS6's Mark Holmgren interviews Bob Battle about VA's new 70 mph Speed Limit
To read a transcript click New 70 mph Speed limit in Henrico, Hopewell & Prince George will lead to increased Reckless Driving charges.
UPDATE July 1, 2020: Bob Battle's prediction was entirely accurate and Virginia's relentless "policing for profit" continued as jurisdictions charged individuals doing only 11 mph over the 70 mph speed limit with the criminal offense of Reckless Driving Speeding. On July 1, 2020, this law was amended and requires a motorist to be doing at least 86 mph in a 70 mph zone to be charged with Reckless Driving Speeding.
