Virginia Legislators Consider Raising Reckless Driving Limit to 85MPH

Drivers who get caught going 11 miles an hour over the speed limit on Virginia’s interstate highways may no longer be facing criminal charges if a proposed bill passes.

A House of Delegates panel approved legislation 14-5 Tuesday that would raise the threshold of reckless driving from 80 miles an hour to 85 miles an hour.

Republican Del. Jeffrey L. Campbell said the bill was needed because some Virginia highways have speed limits of 70 miles an hour and current law unfairly saddles those caught speeding with a misdemeanor charge.

The proposal is opposed by the Virginia State Police, who argue that its passage would make Virginia’s highways unsafe.