Some things bear repeating. And on this Public Safety Thursday edition of The Valley Today — the day before the 250th Independence Day weekend — Captain Warren Gosnell of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office does exactly that. Host Janet Michael welcomes him back to the studio with a folder of new laws, a warning about the heat, and a story about one of his deputies whose truck was totaled earlier this week by an impaired driver who didn't move over.

The conversation opens with a genuine plea from Sheriff Milholland — via Captain Gosnell — to actually take the Move Over Law seriously (with language slightly stronger than his usual style, quoted with permission). It winds through Frederick County's cooling stations, Our Health Campus's downtown Winchester cooling tents, and why the combination of oppressive humidity, heavy fluid consumption, and celebratory alcohol creates a uniquely dangerous holiday-weekend cocktail. Then Niki Foster's Main Street U-turn question from yesterday's show gets a definitive answer (no, and also no), followed by a rundown of the new Virginia laws effective July 1: court-ordered speed monitoring devices for reckless-by-speed convictions and 100+ mph drivers, helmet requirements for kids on scooters and motorized skateboards, new autism-awareness driver interaction protocols, hands-free-law refinements (a driver improvement course option for first-time offenders), a new live-streaming-while-driving ban, and a new restriction on leaving unattended firearms in vehicles. Plus a firm quote from the Fire Marshal's office on what counts as an illegal firework in Virginia (spoiler: most of them), and Captain Gosnell's 10,500th day on the job.

KNOW THE LAW — WHAT CHANGED ON JULY 1, 2026

Five new Virginia traffic-related laws worth knowing:

• SPEED MONITORING DEVICES — Courts can now order a speed monitoring device (like an ignition interlock, but for speed) as an alternative to license suspension for reckless-by-speed convictions. Anyone convicted of driving 100+ mph SHALL be required to have one for a set period. DMV can also order one for habitual speeders under the "rapid points" scenario. Cost is paid by the driver.

• HELMET REQUIREMENT — Anyone 14 or younger must wear a helmet on motorized skateboards or scooters (motorized or non-motorized). E-bikes are covered under separate existing legislation, and local ordinances are being developed county-by-county.

• AUTISM AWARENESS INTERACTION PROTOCOLS — Law enforcement is being trained on interactions with drivers or passengers on the autism spectrum. Drivers can now present a packet during a stop to help mitigate a stressful interaction. Does NOT exempt drivers from any rules of the road.

• HANDS-FREE LAW UPDATE — First-time offenders can now be offered a driver improvement course as an alternative resolution. Also: it is now illegal to initiate, participate in, or interact with a live stream while driving (whether the phone is in your hand or in a holder).

• UNATTENDED FIREARMS IN VEHICLES — Firearms left in vehicles must be secured in a locked box or container. Applies whether the vehicle is parked or unattended.

KNOW THE RULES — MAIN STREET U-TURNS AND PARKING

A few clarifications for parking in downtown areas:

• You cannot park facing against the direction of travel — parking must face the direction of the flow of traffic in the lane where you're parked. (Frederick County ordinance; Front Royal likely has a similar town ordinance.)

• You cannot make a U-turn across a double solid yellow line. No sign is required saying "no U-turn" — the double solid line itself prohibits the crossing.

• You CAN legally cross a double yellow line to enter a driveway or parking entryway. Look for the visible break in the double line.

• A missing witness doesn't make an infraction legal.

FIREWORKS — WHAT'S ILLEGAL IN VIRGINIA

Direct from the Fire Marshal's office. In Virginia and Frederick County, any firework that:

• Explodes

• Propels itself into the air

• Travels horizontally

• Shoots flaming balls ...is illegal. That specifically includes mortars, rockets, Roman candles, artillery shells, and firecrackers (this list is not exhaustive). The community alternative: attend one of the many public fireworks displays across the Shenandoah Valley over the July 4th weekend.

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Frederick County Sheriff's Office: https://www.fcva.us/departments/sheriff-s-office

• Virginia Motor Vehicle Code (Title 46.2): law.lis.virginia.gov

THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations.

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