RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia has recorded 725 convictions during the first six months of a texting-while-driving law, which made the distracted-driving practice a primary offense. The preliminary numbers from the Department of Motor Vehicles cover a period from July 1 through the end 2013. They show that the majority of the convictions occurred in heavily traveled northern Virginia and the sprawling, densely populated Hampton Roads area, but virtually every county recorded at least one conviction. A conviction calls for a fine of $125 for the first offense, while subsequent offenses call for a $250 fine. The DMV numbers show convictions range from highs of 168 in Fairfax County and 71 in Virginia Beach to single convictions in many rural counties.
