The Commonwealth of Virginia has implemented several new traffic laws that you should know about.
On July 1, 2010, the following new driving laws went into effect:
- It is a primary offense for a child under the age of 17 to be seated anywhere in a moving vehicle and NOT use a seat-belt. Up until now, a police officer could not pull over a vehicle for seat-belt violations unless the driver violated another law (it was previously a secondary offense). This new law is enforceable for both drivers and passengers.
- Expansion of 'The Slow Down/Move-Over Law.' The law originally went into effect several years ago and has been expanded to require Slow Down/Move Over for tow-trucks, expanding the law to protect tow-truck drivers. The law reads:
The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subdivision A 1 or A 2 of § 46.2-1025 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.
As you are out and about this July 4, please keep in mind these new laws--as well as all of our traffic laws--and help to keep our roads safe!
Comments(2)