…from Virginia, in its brief entirety:

[Summary:] A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-818.1, relating to opening and closing of motor vehicle doors.

[Text:] Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-818.1 as follows:

12 § 46.2-818.1. Opening and closing motor vehicle doors; penalty. No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side adjacent to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so. Nor shall the person keep the vehicle door open for longer than is reasonably necessary to load or unload passengers. A violation of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $100. No demerit points shall be awarded by the Commissioner for a violation of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any law-enforcement officer, school guard, firefighter, or member of a rescue squad engaged in the performance of his duties.

You’d think the risk of having one’s door smashed off by a passing car would be incentive enough not to open it hastily, but apparently not.

The bill’s sponsor is, predictably, a Northern Virginia Democrat.

In other news from the VA statehouse, a Republican senator wants to exempt gold, silver, and a few other precious metals from taxation, union card-checks may be made unconstitutional, and a Virginia Beach delegate continues the quixotic annual ritual of introducing legislation to allow governors of the Old Dominion a second consecutive term.