Bill Text: VA HB637 | 2022 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Drivers of vehicles approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights; penalty.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-15 - Left in Transportation [HB637 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2022-HB637-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §46.2-861.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§46.2-861.1. Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights on highways; penalties.
A. 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 subsection B of §46.2-1026 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 of no more than 10 miles per hour.
A violation of any provision of this subsection is reckless driving and shall be punishable by a mandatory
minimum fine of $500.
B. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a
stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating
amber light or lights as provided in subdivision A 1 or 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 of no more than 10 miles per hour.
A violation of any provision of this subsection shall be punishable as a
traffic infraction and
shall be punishable by a mandatory minimum
fine of $500.
C. If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court may, in addition, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury or death to another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than two years.
D. The provisions of this section shall not apply in highway work zones as defined in §46.2-878.1.
