Virginia drivers are notorious for not obeying some traffic laws, such as not passing on the right or following too closely.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has put traffic laws in place for a reason: safety. Yet many motorists continue to ignore the rules of the road. Both passengers and drivers are put in danger by these reckless individuals.
In this article, you’ll find seven of Virginia’s most commonly ignored traffic laws. Read on to discover what they are and how to ensure you comply with all the state’s laws when you’re behind the wheel.
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1. Virginia Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
Virginia requires slower drivers to keep to the right-hand lane or near the right curb. Unless you are preparing to pass or make a left turn, the traffic code states you should keep right.
An exception to this rule exists for situations where the right lane is designated for trucks and commercial vehicles due to a steep grade.
Whenever any roadway has been divided into clearly marked lanes for traffic, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, shall be driven in the lane nearest the right edge or right curb of the highway when such lane is available for travel except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn or where right lanes are reserved for slow-moving traffic.
The Commissioner of Highways, or local authorities may designate right lanes for slow-moving vehicles and the Virginia Department of Transportation shall post signs requiring trucks and combination vehicles to keep to the right on Interstate Highway System components with no more than two travel lanes in each direction where terrain is likely to slow the speed of such vehicles climbing hills and inclines to a speed that is less than the posted speed limit.
2. Virginia Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
There is no statewide minimum highway speed in Virginia. However, if a minimum speed is posted, all drivers must maintain that pace unless they need to go slower for safety or to comply with the law.
Likewise, the law prohibits driving so slowly that you impede the regular flow of traffic. If you do this, you are driving too slowly and need to speed up unless it would be unsafe to do so.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
Whenever the Commissioner of Highways or local authorities determine that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the Commissioner or such local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit to be set forth on signs posted on such highway below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
3. Virginia Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
Virginia’s traffic code requires you to pass other vehicles at least two feet to their left. You also cannot cut the other driver off when you return to the right lane. Instead, you must wait until you have cleared the other vehicle.
When you need to cross the center line to pass, you first must ensure the opposite lanes are safely clear. You must be able to complete the pass without interfering with oncoming vehicles.
If you’re the driver being passed, you must give way to the other motorist. Additionally, you are prohibited from speeding up while being passed.
The driver of any vehicle overtaking another vehicle shall pass at least two feet to the left of the overtaken vehicle and shall not again drive to the right side of the highway until safely clear of such overtaken vehicle, except as otherwise provided in this article.
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
The driver of a vehicle shall not drive to the left side of the center line of a highway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be made safely.
4. Virginia Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
Virginia defines illegal tailgating as following another car more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.” Just keep in mind that what may be considered a safe distance on a sunny day could be unreasonably close during a storm or in heavy traffic.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles and the traffic on, and conditions of, the highway at the time.
5. Virginia Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
The law prohibits you from holding a cell phone when driving in Virginia. Once you are parked or stopped, you are allowed to pick up your mobile phone. An exception to this law is in place for when you need to use the phone to report an emergency.
It is unlawful for any person, while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth, to hold a handheld personal communications device.
The provisions shall not apply to an operator who is lawfully parked or stopped or any person using a handheld personal communications device to report an emergency.
6. Virginia Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
When two vehicles reach a Virginia intersection simultaneously, the driver to the right gets to go first. The driver to the left must yield the right of way.
Except as otherwise provided in this article, when two vehicles approach or enter an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
7. Virginia Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Before you make a left turn, Virginia law requires you to allow oncoming traffic to clear. You must yield the right of way to vehicles headed in the opposite direction if they are close enough to create a safety hazard.
However, if you have a left turn arrow at an intersection, you have the right of way to proceed in front of oncoming traffic.
The driver of a vehicle, intending to turn left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction if it is so close as to constitute a hazard. At intersections controlled by traffic lights with separate left-turn signals, any vehicle making a left turn when so indicated by the signal shall have the right-of-way over all other vehicles approaching the intersection.
Paying attention to the rules of the road goes a long way toward being a safe and courteous driver. Complying with Virginia’s traffic code can help you avoid tickets and reach your destination safely. So, try and keep these seven often overlooked laws in mind the next time you hit the road.