From a press release:

AMA Applauds Virginia Crackdown on Motorists Who Kill Motorcyclists

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Under a new Virginia law, a motorist who kills a motorcyclist in a traffic incident could lose his or her drivers license for up to a year, in addition to any other penalties imposed, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The law, which goes into effect July 1, is similar to model legislation developed by the AMA’s “Motorcyclists Matter” campaign and was championed by Jody Patteson, the mother of motorcyclist Adam Svihla. Svihla, 20, was killed riding his motorcycle in Newport News, Virginia, last September when a car turned in front of his motorcycle, causing the crash that took Svihla’s life.

When sentenced in January, the driver was ordered to pay a $200 fine plus court costs for failing to yield the right of way.

Under the new law, judges would be allowed to suspend a motorist’s drivers license for up to a year if the driver is involved in a fatal traffic incident. The drivers license suspension would be in addition to any other penalties imposed.

“The success of getting the law changed is bittersweet because of the reason I became involved in lobbying for the change…,” Patteson said. “I only hope that other families will be spared some of the pain we live with because of the injustice we felt was served by the court system. I know that Adam is smiling down on those responsible for getting this new law passed.”

Patteson said Sen. Marty Williams and Delegate Tom Gear worked very hard to guide the legislation through the Legislature, and the AMA “was extremely helpful all along the process.” Among other things, the AMA submitted testimony on the bill and asked AMA members in Virginia to contact their state lawmakers to support the legislation.

The AMA’s Motorcyclists Matter campaign was founded to reduce the number of accidents involving motorcyclists and motorists, as well as to raise the awareness of motorists of motorcyclists on the road. A major component of the program involves the passage of laws requiring mandatory fines for drivers who fail to yield right of way in collisions, ranging from a minimum of $200 for causing an accident in which another road user is injured, up to at least $1000 if the accident results in death.

In addition, the program seeks mandatory drivers-license suspensions ranging from 30 days to six months, depending on the severity of injuries. Those penalties would be added to any others for traffic violations associated with the incident.

The program also calls on states to develop a course for offenders focusing on the vulnerabilities of motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. And it would encourage the creation of public-nformation campaigns reminding drivers to watch for motorcyclists.

“The unfortunate truth is that a driver’s inattentive left turn, unwary lane change, casual red light ‘run,’ or untimely cellphone call can result in death or serious injury to a motorcyclist,” said Imre Szauter, AMA legislative affairs specialist and coordinator of the Motorcyclists Matter campaign.