So, What Do You Guys Think of our New State Laws? (restaurant, legally)

[normie]

Originally Posted by Samara11

Texting Teen Falls Down Manhole - News- msnbc.com

Oh my!

Please, please PLEASE let video of this be used in future commercials!

[car54]

Originally Posted by ediet

What was the comment about VA not having bars? Not that I really go a lot, but I might like to at some point.

You cannot operate just a bar in Virginia. To get an ABC license (for on premises consumption), a certain percentage of your sales must be food. A lower percentage is required to serve beer only, and a higher percentage for mixed drinks. So all establishments that serve alcohol in Virginia are actually restaurants, not bars.

Incidentally, it's only been about 40 years since you could get a mixed drink in Virginia at all. There was a voter referendum for "liquor-by-the-drink"....I remember the campaign signs!

Not all Counties in Virginia passed it though....in fact there are "dry counties" to this day where you cannot legally buy alcohol period....for on or off.

[FL Beaches]

My son is just now starting to drive. You better believe I told him a couple times already that it's now illegal to text while driving. If he wants to check something that came in, whether a text or a call, get off the road and do it. Nothing is that important that you text back while driving. And someone doing that puts everyone else on the road around them in danger...as we recently saw with the train accident in Northern VA.

I'm fine with all the new laws. I agree though...some of what's been on the books can be done away with.

[Legs1357]

Originally Posted by FL Beaches

My son is just now starting to drive. You better believe I told him a couple times already that it's now illegal to text while driving. If he wants to check something that came in, whether a text or a call, get off the road and do it. Nothing is that important that you text back while driving. And someone doing that puts everyone else on the road around them in danger...as we recently saw with the train accident in Northern VA.

I'm fine with all the new laws. I agree though...some of what's been on the books can be done away with.

I check them at lights and stuff but if I would've been caught texting or doing anything with a phone at all while I was first learning to drive my dad would have thrown the phone out the window and rightfully so.

[zotmeister]

Originally Posted by normie

Several new state laws went into effect July 1. A few seem controversial to me. Any opinions on these?

1. Texting while driving is now illegal. However, it's a "secondary offense" meaning you can only be stopped for another offense, and then if the officer claims he also observed you texting while driving a fine is tacked onto the ticket.

This one seems well intentioned, but troublesome. How does the officer prove you were texting?

2. Students who accumulate 10 unexcused absences from school can have their drivers license taken from them.

3. Penalties are more severe is you are convicted of drunk driving two or more times in ten years. Includes mandatory VASP counseling and an onboard breathalyzer installed in the vehicle (it keeps the car from starting if alcohol is on your breath). Also substantially higher fines.

4. Smoking ban in all restaurants starting 12-1. Smoking will only be allowed in a separate room with its own entrance and separate ventilation system.

1. Coming from L.A., CA, #1 has been in effect in Cali. for almost 6+ months. You can't even talk on the cell phone unless it is hands free. However, I see many people still doing it. The state made a crap load of money in the first weekend alone in fines...something like over $0.5M. That is how state tries to close the budget cap there.

2. Strange one if you asked me

3. That's good; too many people injured on the road that way

4. In Cali. again, this has been in effect for many years (bars included). You can only do it outside or separate room. Nice...don't like second hand smoke...I only wish Vegas would have a smoke free Casino...that could be a great marketing strategy!!!

[RedKnightt]

Originally Posted by zotmeister

<snip>..I only wish Vegas would have a smoke free Casino...that could be a great marketing strategy!!!

Go to Atlantic City. "No smoking" is fairly prevalent there. 75% of casino floorspace has to be nonsmoking.

[zotmeister]

Originally Posted by RedKnightt

Go to Atlantic City. "No smoking" is fairly prevalent there. 75% of casino floorspace has to be nonsmoking.

Did not know that, but thanks...now that I will be on the east coast, my vegas weekends will have to be Atlantic City weekends...by the way, how far is it from Metro DC area.

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by RedKnightt

Go to Atlantic City. "No smoking" is fairly prevalent there. 75% of casino floorspace has to be nonsmoking.

Atlantic City? That place is still there?

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by zotmeister

1. Coming from L.A., CA, #1 has been in effect in Cali. for almost 6+ months. You can't even talk on the cell phone unless it is hands free. However, I see many people still doing it. The state made a crap load of money in the first weekend alone in fines...something like over $0.5M. That is how state tries to close the budget cap there.

I wonder if anyone in LA has tried to fight this fine yet? Claiming they were framed, or something like that.

[ediet]

Originally Posted by car54

You cannot operate just a bar in Virginia. To get an ABC license (for on premises consumption), a certain percentage of your sales must be food. A lower percentage is required to serve beer only, and a higher percentage for mixed drinks. So all establishments that serve alcohol in Virginia are actually restaurants, not bars.

Incidentally, it's only been about 40 years since you could get a mixed drink in Virginia at all. There was a voter referendum for "liquor-by-the-drink"....I remember the campaign signs!

Not all Counties in Virginia passed it though....in fact there are "dry counties" to this day where you cannot legally buy alcohol period....for on or off.

Thanks for the 411. I am looking at moving to VA and really don't go out, but my favorite place is always the small venue where they play live music . Do they have those in VA?