Bill Text: VA HB684 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Issuing citations; certain traffic offenses.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2024-02-13 - Left in Courts of Justice [HB684 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB684-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§46.2-334.01, 46.2-646, 46.2-810.1, 46.2-923, 46.2-926, 46.2-1003, 46.2-1013, 46.2-1014, 46.2-1014.1, 46.2-1030, 46.2-1049, 46.2-1051, 46.2-1052, 46.2-1054, 46.2-1094, 46.2-1157, and 46.2-1300 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§46.2-334.01. Licenses issued to persons less than 18 years old subject to certain restrictions.
A. Any learner's permit or driver's license issued to any person less than 18 years old shall be subject to the following:
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of §46.2-498, whenever the driving record of a person less than 19 years old shows that he has been convicted of committing, when he was less than 18 years old, (i) an offense for which demerit points have been assessed or are assessable under Article 19 (§ 46.2-489 et seq.) or (ii) a violation of any provision of Article 12 (§ 46.2-1091 et seq.) or Article 13 (§46.2-1095 et seq.) of Chapter 10, the Commissioner shall direct such person to attend a driver improvement clinic. No safe driving points shall be awarded for such clinic attendance, nor shall any safe driving points be awarded for voluntary or court-assigned clinic attendance. Such person's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or other person standing in loco parentis may attend such clinic and receive a reduction in demerit points and/or an award of safe driving points pursuant to §46.2-498. The provisions of this subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit awarding of safe driving points to a person less than 18 years old who attends and successfully completes a driver improvement clinic without having been directed to do so by the Commissioner or required to do so by a court.
2. If any person less than 19 years old is convicted a second time of committing, when he was less than 18 years old, (i) an offense for which demerit points have been assessed or are assessable under Article 19 (§ 46.2-489 et seq.) or (ii) a violation of any provision of Article 12 (§ 46.2-1091 et seq.) or Article 13 (§46.2-1095 et seq.) of Chapter 10, the Commissioner shall suspend such person's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle for 90 days. Such suspension shall be consecutive to, and not concurrent with, any other period of license suspension, revocation, or denial. Any person who has had his driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle suspended in accordance with this subdivision may petition the juvenile and domestic relations district court of his residence for a restricted license to authorize such person to drive a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth to and from his home, his place of employment, or an institution of higher education where he is enrolled, provided there is no other means of transportation by which such person may travel between his home and his place of employment or the institution of higher education where he is enrolled. On such petition the court may, in its discretion, authorize the issuance of a restricted license for a period not to exceed the term of the suspension of the person's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth. Such restricted license shall be valid solely for operation of a motor vehicle between such person's home and his place of employment or the institution of higher education where he is enrolled.
3. If any person is convicted a third time of committing, when he was less than 18 years old, (i) an offense for which demerit points have been assessed or are assessable under Article 19 (§46.2-489 et seq.) or (ii) a violation of any provision of Article 12 (§46.2-1091 et seq.) or Article 13 (§ 46.2-1095 et seq.) of Chapter 10, the Commissioner shall revoke such person's driver's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle for one year or until such person reaches the age of 18 years, whichever is longer. Such revocation shall be consecutive to, and not concurrent with, any other period of license suspension, revocation, or denial.
4. In no event shall any person subject to the provisions of this section be subject to the suspension or revocation provisions of subdivision 2 or 3 for multiple convictions arising out of the same transaction or occurrence.
B. The initial license issued to any person younger than 18 years of age shall be deemed a provisional driver's license. Until the holder is 18 years old, a provisional driver's license shall not authorize its holder to operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is less than 21 years old. After the first year the provisional license is issued, the holder may operate a motor vehicle with up to three passengers who are less than 21 years old (i) when the holder is driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, (ii) when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is occupying the seat beside the driver, or (iii) in cases of emergency. These passenger limitations, however, shall not apply to members of the driver's family or household. For the purposes of this subsection, "a member of the driver's family or household" means any of the following: (a) the driver's spouse, children, stepchildren, brothers, sisters, half-brothers, half-sisters, first cousins, and any individual who has a child in common with the driver, whether or not they reside in the same home with the driver; (b) the driver's brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who reside in the same home with the driver; and (c) any individual who cohabits with the driver, and any children of such individual residing in the same home with the driver.
C. The holder of a provisional driver's license shall not operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth between the hours of midnight and 4:00 a.m. except when driving (i) to or from a place of business where he is employed; (ii) to or from an activity that is supervised by an adult and is sponsored by a school or by a civic, religious, or public organization; (iii) accompanied by a parent, a person acting in loco parentis, or by a spouse who is 18 years old or older, provided that such person accompanying the driver is actually occupying a seat beside the driver and is lawfully permitted to operate a motor vehicle at the time; or (iv) in cases of emergency, including response by volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical services personnel to emergency calls.
D. The provisional driver's license restrictions in subsections B and C shall expire on the holder's eighteenth birthday. A violation of the provisional driver's license restrictions in subsection B or C shall constitute a traffic infraction. For a second or subsequent violation of the provisional driver's license restrictions in subsection B or C, in addition to any other penalties that may be imposed pursuant to §16.1-278.10, the court may suspend the juvenile's privilege to drive for a period not to exceed six months.
E. A violation of subsection B or C shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence, or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, nor shall anything in this subsection change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action.
F. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding citation for a violation of this section shall be
issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the
driver of such motor vehicle for the
violation of some other provision of this Code or local
ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor
vehicle or any criminal statute.
§46.2-646. Expiration and renewal of registration.
A. Every registration under this title, unless otherwise provided, shall expire on the last day of the twelfth month next succeeding the date of registration. Every registration, unless otherwise provided, shall be renewed annually on application by the owner and by payment of the fees required by law, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the month succeeding the date of expiration. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Commissioner may extend the validity period of an expiring registration if (i) the Department is unable to process an application for renewal due to circumstances beyond its control, and (ii) the extension has been authorized under a directive from the Governor. However, in no event shall the validity period be extended more than 90 days per occurrence of such conditions.
B. All motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered in the Commonwealth shall, at the discretion of the Commissioner, be placed in a system of registration on a monthly basis to distribute the work of registering motor vehicles as uniformly as practicable throughout the 12 months of the year. All such motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, unless otherwise provided, shall be registered for a period of 12 months. The registration shall be extended, at the discretion of the Commissioner, on receipt of appropriate prorated fees, as required by law, for a period of not less than one month nor more than 11 months as is necessary to distribute the registrations as equally as practicable on a monthly basis. The Commissioner shall, on request, assign to any owner or owners of two or more motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers the same registration period. The expiration date shall be the last day of the twelfth month or the last day of the designated month. Except for motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers registered for more than one year under subsection C of this section, every registration shall be renewed annually on application by the owner and by payment of fees required by law, the renewal to take effect on the first day of the succeeding month.
C. The Commissioner may offer, at his discretion, an optional multi-year registration for all motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers except for (i) those registered under the International Registration Plan and (ii) those registered as uninsured motor vehicles. When this option is offered and chosen by the registrant, all annual and 12-month fees due at the time of registration shall be multiplied by the number of years or fraction thereof that the vehicle will be registered.
D. For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.
E. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired registration sticker prior
to the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No
evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this
subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's
consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-810.1. Smoking in vehicle with a minor present; civil penalty.
A. For the purposes of this section, "smoke" means to carry or hold any lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind or any other lighted smoking equipment or to light or inhale or exhale smoke from a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind or any other lighted smoking equipment.
B. It is unlawful for a person to smoke in a motor vehicle, whether in motion or at rest, when a minor under the age of 15 is present in the motor vehicle. A violation of this section is punishable by a civil penalty of $100 to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Literary Fund. No demerit points shall be assigned under Article 19 (§46.2-489 et seq.) of Chapter 3 and no court costs shall be assessed for a violation of this section. A violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons form.
C. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding citation for a violation of this section shall be
issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the
driver of such motor vehicle for the violation of some other provision of this
Code or local ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of
a motor vehicle or any criminal statute.
§46.2-923. How and where pedestrians to cross highways.
A. When crossing highways, pedestrians shall not carelessly or maliciously interfere with the orderly passage of vehicles. They shall cross, wherever possible, only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Where intersections contain no marked crosswalks, pedestrians shall not be guilty of negligence as a matter of law for crossing at any such intersection or between intersections when crossing by the most direct route.
B. The governing body of any town or city or the governing body of a county authorized by law to regulate traffic may by ordinance permit pedestrians to cross an intersection diagonally when all traffic entering the intersection has been halted by lights, other traffic control devices, or by a law-enforcement officer.
C. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a pedestrian for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the person's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-926. Pedestrians stepping into highway where they cannot be seen.
A. No
pedestrian shall step into a highway open to moving vehicular traffic at any
point between intersections where his presence would be obscured from the
vision of drivers of approaching vehicles by a vehicle or other obstruction at
the curb or side. The foregoing prohibition shall not apply to a pedestrian
stepping into a highway to board a bus or to enter a safety zone, in which
event he shall cross the highway only at right angles.
B. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a pedestrian for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the person's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1003. Illegal use of defective and unsafe equipment.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or have as equipment on a motor vehicle operated on a highway any device or equipment mentioned in §46.2-1002 which is defective and in an unsafe condition.
B. For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.
C. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1013. Tail lights.
A. Every
motor vehicle and every trailer or semitrailer being drawn at the end of one or
more other vehicles shall carry at the rear two red lights plainly visible in
clear weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle.
B. All Such tail
lights required pursuant to subsection A
shall be constructed and so mounted in their relation to the rear license plate
as to illuminate the license plate with a white light so that the same may be
read from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. Alternatively, a
separate white light shall be so mounted as to illuminate the rear license
plate from a distance of 50 feet to the rear of such vehicle. No law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor
vehicle for a violation of this subsection. No evidence discovered or obtained
as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence
discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be admissible in any
trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
C. Any such tail lights or special
white light required pursuant to
this section shall be of a type approved by the
Superintendent.
D. In
any instance where the tail light is to be installed on a boat trailer and the
boat extends beyond the end of the trailer or to the end of the trailer, an
approved portable light assembly or assemblies may be attached to the exposed
rear of the boat, provided such installation complies with the visibility
requirements of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to
motorcycles.
§46.2-1014. Brake lights.
A. Every
motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, except an antique vehicle not
originally equipped with a brake light, registered in the Commonwealth and
operated on the highways in the Commonwealth shall be equipped with at least
two brake lights of a type approved by the Superintendent. Such brake lights
shall automatically exhibit a red or amber light plainly visible in clear
weather from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of such vehicle when the brake
is applied.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to motorcycles or autocycles equipped with brake lights as required by §46.2-1012.
B. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer for a violation of
this section, except that a law-enforcement officer may stop a vehicle if it
displays no brake lights that meet the requirements set forth in subsection A.
No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this
subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's
consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1014.1. Supplemental high mount stop light.
A. Whenever
operated on the highways, every Virginia-registered passenger car manufactured for
the 1986 or subsequent model year shall be equipped with a supplemental center
high mount stop light of a type approved by the Superintendent or which meets
the standards adopted by the United States Department of Transportation. The
light shall be mounted as near the vertical center line of the vehicle as
possible. The light shall be actuated only in conjunction with the vehicle's
brake lights and hazard lights. Any supplemental high mount stop light
installed on any other vehicle shall comply with those requirements.
B. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1030. When lights to be lighted; number of lights to be lighted at any time; use of warning lights.
A. Every vehicle in operation on a highway in the Commonwealth shall display lighted headlights and illuminating devices as required by this article (i) from sunset to sunrise; (ii) during any other time when, because of rain, smoke, fog, snow, sleet, insufficient light, or other unfavorable atmospheric conditions, visibility is reduced to a degree whereby persons or vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet; and (iii) whenever windshield wipers are in use as a result of fog, rain, sleet, or snow. The provisions of this subsection, however, shall not apply to instances when windshield wipers are used intermittently in misting rain, sleet, or snow.
B. Not more than four lights used to provide general illumination ahead of the vehicle, including at least two headlights and any other combination of fog lights or other auxiliary lights approved by the Superintendent, shall be lighted at any time. However, motorcycles may be equipped with and use not more than five approved lights in order to provide general illumination ahead of the motorcycle. These limitations shall not preclude the display of warning lights authorized in §§46.2-1020 through 46.2-1027, or other lights as may be authorized by the Superintendent.
C. Vehicles equipped with warning lights authorized in §§ 46.2-1020 through 46.2-1027 shall display lighted warning lights as authorized in such sections at all times when responding to emergency calls, responding to traffic incidents, towing disabled vehicles, or constructing, repairing, and maintaining public highways or utilities on or along public highways, except that amber lights on vehicles designed with a ramp on wheels and a hydraulic lift with a capacity to haul or tow another vehicle, commonly referred to as "rollbacks," need not be lit while the vehicle is in motion unless it is actually towing a vehicle.
D. The failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices under the conditions set forth in clause (iii) of subsection A shall not constitute negligence per se, nor shall violation of clause (iii) of subsection A constitute a defense to any claim for personal injury or recovery of medical expenses for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
E. No demerit points shall be assessed for failure to display lighted headlights and illuminating devices during periods of fog, rain, sleet, or snow in violation of clause (iii) of subsection A.
F. No citation for a violation of clause (iii) of subsection A
shall be issued unless the officer issuing such citation has cause to stop or
arrest the driver of such motor vehicle for the violation of some other
provision of this Code or local ordinance relating to the operation, ownership,
or maintenance of a motor vehicle or any criminal statute. No
law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this
section, except that a law-enforcement officer may stop a vehicle if it
displays no lighted headlights during the time periods set forth in subsection
A. No evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of
this subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's
consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1049. Exhaust system in good working order.
No person shall drive and no owner of a vehicle shall permit
or allow the operation of any such vehicle on a highway unless it is equipped
with an exhaust system in good working order and in constant operation to
prevent excessive or unusual levels of noise, provided, however, that for motor
vehicles, such exhaust system shall be of a type installed as standard factory
equipment, or comparable to that designed for use on the particular vehicle as
standard factory equipment or other equipment
that has been submitted to and approved by the Superintendent or meets or
exceeds the standards and specifications of the Society of Automotive
Engineers, the American National Standards Institute, or the federal Department
of Transportation. An exhaust system
shall not be deemed to prevent excessive or unusual noise if it permits the
escape of noise in excess of that permitted by the standard factory equipment
exhaust system of private passenger motor vehicles or trucks of standard make.
As used in this section, "exhaust system" means all the parts of a vehicle through which the exhaust passes after leaving the engine block, including mufflers and other sound dissipative devices.
Chambered pipes are not an effective muffling device to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and any vehicle equipped with chambered pipes shall be deemed in violation of this section.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to (i) any antique motor vehicle licensed pursuant to §46.2-730, provided that the engine is comparable to that designed as standard factory equipment for use on that particular vehicle, and the exhaust system is in good working order, or (ii) converted electric vehicles.
§46.2-1051. Local ordinances; vehicle exhaust.
A. The
governing body of any county, city, or town may, by ordinance, regulate noise
from a vehicle operated on a highway that is not equipped with a muffler and
exhaust system conforming to §§46.2-1047 and 46.2-1049.
B. The provisions of
subsection E of §46.2-1300 shall not apply to ordinances adopted pursuant to
this section.
§46.2-1052. Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties.
A. As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Front side windows" means those windows located adjacent to and forward of the driver's seat.
"Holographic effect" means a picture or image that may remain constant or change as the viewing angle is changed.
"Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is (i) designed to carry no more than 10 persons and (ii) constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use.
"Prism effect" means a visual, iridescent, or rainbow-like effect that separates light into various colored components that may change depending on viewing angle.
"Rear side windows" means those windows located to the rear of the driver's seat.
"Rear window" or "rear windows" means those windows that are located to the rear of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and that are approximately parallel to the windshield.
B. Except as otherwise provided in this article or permitted by federal law, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motor vehicle on a highway with any sign, poster, colored or tinted film, sun-shading material, or other colored material on the windshield, front or rear side windows, or rear windows of such motor vehicle. This provision, however, shall not apply to any certificate or other paper required by law or permitted by the Superintendent to be placed on a motor vehicle's windshield or window.
The size of stickers or decals used by counties, cities, and towns in lieu of license plates shall be in compliance with regulations promulgated by the Superintendent. Such stickers shall be affixed on the windshield at a location designated by the Superintendent.
C. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, whenever a motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of such vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, any or all of the following shall be lawful:
1. To drive a motor vehicle equipped with one optically grooved clear plastic right-angle rear view lens attached to one rear window of such motor vehicle, not exceeding 18 inches in diameter in the case of a circular lens or not exceeding 11 inches by 14 inches in the case of a rectangular lens, which enables the driver of the motor vehicle to view below the line of sight as viewed through the rear window;
2. To have affixed to the rear side windows, rear window or windows of a motor vehicle any sticker or stickers, regardless of size; or
3. To drive a motor vehicle when the driver's clear view of the highway through the rear window or windows is otherwise obstructed.
D. Except as provided in §46.2-1053, but notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, no sun-shading or tinting film may be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a mirror on each side of such motor vehicle, so located as to reflect to the driver of the vehicle a view of the highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the sun-shading or tinting film is applied or affixed in accordance with the following:
1. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the rear side windows or rear window or windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of the Commonwealth that reduce the total light transmittance of such window to less than 35 percent;
2. No sun-shading or tinting films may be applied or affixed to the front side windows of any motor vehicle operated on the highways of the Commonwealth that reduce total light transmittance of such window to less than 50 percent;
3. No sun-shading or tinting films shall be applied or affixed to any window of a motor vehicle that (i) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent or (ii) produce a holographic or prism effect.
Any person who operates a motor vehicle on the highways of the Commonwealth with sun-shading or tinting films that (i) have a total light transmittance less than that required by subdivisions 1 and 2, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects is guilty of a traffic infraction but shall not be awarded any demerit points by the Commissioner for the violation.
Any person or firm who applies or affixes to the windows of any motor vehicle in Virginia sun-shading or tinting films that (i) reduce the light transmittance to levels less than that allowed in subdivisions 1 and 2, (ii) have a reflectance of light exceeding 20 percent, or (iii) produce holographic or prism effects is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense and of a Class 2 misdemeanor for any subsequent offense.
E. The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to § 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper standards for equipment or devices used to measure light transmittance through windows of motor vehicles. Law-enforcement officers shall use only such equipment or devices to measure light transmittance through windows that meet the standards established by the Division. Such measurements made by law-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.
F. No film or darkening material may be applied on the windshield except to replace the sunshield in the uppermost area as installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle.
G. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the affixing to the rear window of a motor vehicle of a single sticker no larger than 20 square inches if such sticker is totally contained within the lower five inches of the glass of the rear window, nor shall subsection C apply to a motor vehicle to which but one such sticker is so affixed.
H. Nothing in this section shall prohibit applying to the rear side windows or rear window of any multipurpose passenger vehicle or pickup truck sun-shading or tinting films that reduce the total light transmittance of such window or windows below 35 percent.
I. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, sun-shading material which was applied or installed prior to July 1, 1987, in a manner and on which windows not then in violation of Virginia law, shall continue to be lawful, provided that it can be shown by appropriate receipts that such material was installed prior to July 1, 1987.
J. Where a person is convicted within one year of a second or subsequent violation of this section involving the operation of the same vehicle having a tinted or smoked windshield, the court, in addition to any other penalty, may order the person so convicted to remove such tinted or smoked windshield from the vehicle.
K. The provisions of this section shall not apply to law-enforcement vehicles.
L. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the rear windows or rear side windows of any emergency medical services vehicle used to transport patients.
M. The provisions of subdivisions D 1, 2, and 3 shall not apply to vehicles operated in the performance of private security duties by a security canine handler as defined in §9.1-138 and licensed in accordance with §9.1-139.
N. The provisions of subdivision D 1 shall not apply to sight-seeing carriers as defined in §46.2-2000 and contract passenger carriers as defined in §46.2-2000.
O. For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.
P. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1054. Suspension of objects or alteration of vehicle so as to obstruct driver's view.
A. It
shall be unlawful for any person (i) to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in
the Commonwealth with any object or objects, other than a rear view mirror, sun
visor, or other equipment of the motor vehicle approved by the Superintendent,
suspended from any part of the motor vehicle in such a manner as to substantially obstruct the
driver's clear view of the highway through the windshield, the front side
windows, or the rear window or (ii) to alter a passenger-carrying vehicle in
such a manner as to obstruct the driver's view through the windshield. However,
this section shall not apply (a) when the driver's clear view of the highway
through the rear window is obstructed if such motor vehicle is equipped with a
mirror on each side, so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the
highway for at least 200 feet to the rear of such vehicle, (b) to safety
devices installed on the windshields of vehicles owned by private waste haulers
or local governments and used to transport solid waste, or (c) to bicycle racks
installed on the front of any bus operated by any city, county, transit
authority, or transit or transportation district. The provisions of clause (ii)
shall not apply to the lawful immobilization of vehicles pursuant to §
46.2-1216 or 46.2-1231.
B. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1094. Occupants of front seats of motor vehicles required to use safety lap belts and shoulder harnesses; penalty.
A. Any driver, and any other person at least 18 years of age and occupying the front seat, of a motor vehicle equipped or required by the provisions of this title to be equipped with a safety belt system, consisting of lap belts, shoulder harnesses, combinations thereof or similar devices, shall wear the appropriate safety belt system at all times while the motor vehicle is in motion on any public highway. A passenger under the age of 18 years, however, shall be protected as required by the provisions of Article 13 (§46.2-1095 et seq.) of this chapter.
B. This section shall not apply to:
1. Any person for whom a licensed physician determines that the use of such safety belt system would be impractical by reason of such person's physical condition or other medical reason, provided the person so exempted carries on his person or in the vehicle a signed written statement of the physician identifying the exempted person and stating the grounds for the exemption; or
2. Any law-enforcement officer transporting persons in custody or traveling in circumstances which render the wearing of such safety belt system impractical; or
3. Any person while driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural mail carrier for the United States Postal Service; or
4. Any person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a rural newspaper route carrier, newspaper bundle hauler or newspaper rack carrier; or
5. Drivers of and passengers in taxicabs; or
6. Personnel of commercial or municipal vehicles while actually engaged in the collection or delivery of goods or services, including but not limited to solid waste, where such collection or delivery requires the personnel to exit and enter the cab of the vehicle with such frequency and regularity so as to render the use of safety belt systems impractical and the safety benefits derived therefrom insignificant. Such personnel shall resume the use of safety belt systems when actual collection or delivery has ceased or when the vehicle is in transit to or from a point of final disposition or disposal, including but not limited to solid waste facilities, terminals, or other location where the vehicle may be principally garaged; or
7. Any person driving a motor vehicle and performing the duties of a utility meter reader; or
8. Law-enforcement agency personnel driving motor vehicles to enforce laws governing motor vehicle parking.
C. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of twenty-five dollars to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Literary Fund. No assignment of demerit points shall be made under Article 19 of Chapter 3 (§46.2-489 et seq.) of this title and no court costs shall be assessed for violations of this section.
D. A violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor vehicle, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any such civil action.
E. A violation of this section may be charged on the uniform traffic summons form.
F. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of this section. No evidence
discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this subsection,
including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be
admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding citation for a violation of this section shall be
issued unless the officer
issuing such citation has cause to stop or arrest the driver of such motor
vehicle for the violation of some other provision of this Code or local
ordinance relating to the operation, ownership, or maintenance of a motor
vehicle or any criminal statute.
G. The governing body of the City of Lynchburg may adopt an ordinance not inconsistent with the provisions of this section, requiring the use of safety belt systems. The penalty for violating any such ordinance shall not exceed a fine or civil penalty of twenty-five dollars.
§46.2-1157. Inspection of motor vehicles required.
A. The owner or operator of any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer registered in Virginia and operated or parked on a highway within the Commonwealth shall submit his vehicle to an inspection of its mechanism and equipment by an official inspection station, designated for that purpose, in accordance with §46.2-1158. No owner or operator shall fail to submit a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer operated or parked on the highways in the Commonwealth to such inspection or fail or refuse to correct or have corrected in accordance with the requirements of this title any mechanical defects found by such inspection to exist.
B. The provisions of this section requiring safety inspections of motor vehicles shall also apply to vehicles used for firefighting; inspections of firefighting vehicles shall be conducted pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of State Police, taking into consideration the special purpose of such vehicles and the conditions under which they operate.
C. Each day during which such motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer is operated or parked on any highway in the Commonwealth after failure to comply with this law shall constitute a separate offense.
D. Except as otherwise provided, autocycles shall be inspected as motorcycles under this article.
E. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle due to an expired vehicle inspection sticker
until the first day of the fourth month after the original expiration date. No
evidence discovered or obtained as the result of a stop in violation of this
subsection, including evidence discovered or obtained with the operator's
consent, shall be admissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding.
§46.2-1300. Powers of local authorities generally; erection of signs and markers; maximum penalties.
A. The governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns may adopt ordinances not in conflict with the provisions of this title to regulate the operation of vehicles on the highways in such counties, cities, and towns. They may also repeal, amend, or modify such ordinances and may erect appropriate signs or markers on the highway showing the general regulations applicable to the operation of vehicles on such highways. The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance, or may by ordinance authorize its chief administrative officer to:
1. Increase or decrease the speed limit within its boundaries, provided such increase or decrease in speed shall be based upon an engineering and traffic investigation by such county, city or town and provided such speed area or zone is clearly indicated by markers or signs;
2. Authorize the city or town manager or such officer thereof as it may designate, to reduce for a temporary period not to exceed sixty days, without such engineering and traffic investigation, the speed limit on any portion of any highway of the city or town on which work is being done or where the highway is under construction or repair;
3. Require vehicles to come to a full stop or yield the right-of-way at a street intersection if one or more of the intersecting streets has been designated as a part of the primary state highway system in a town which has a population of less than 3,500;
4. Reduce the speed limit to less than 25 miles per hour, but not less than 15 miles per hour, on any highway within its boundaries that is located in a business district or residence district, provided that such reduced speed limit is indicated by lawfully placed signs.
B. No such ordinance shall be violated if at the time of the alleged violation the sign or marker placed in conformity with this section is missing, substantially defaced, or obscured so that an ordinarily observant person under the same circumstances would not be aware of the existence of the ordinance.
C. No governing body of a county, city, or town may (i) provide penalties for
violating a provision of an ordinance adopted pursuant to this section which is
greater than the penalty imposed for a similar offense under the provisions of
this title or (ii) provide that
a violation of a provision of an ordinance adopted pursuant to this section is
cause for a stop or arrest of a driver when such a stop or arrest is prohibited
for a similar offense under the provisions of this title.
D. No county whose roads are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation shall designate, in terms of distance from a school, the placement of flashing warning lights unless the authority to do so has been expressly delegated to such county by the Department of Transportation, in its discretion.
E. No law-enforcement
officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of a local ordinance
relating to the ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle unless such
violation is a jailable offense. No evidence discovered or obtained as the
result of a stop in violation of this subsection, including evidence discovered
or obtained with the operator's consent, shall be admissible in any trial,
hearing, or other proceeding.
