'They Are Up Significantly': Safety Association Says DMV Crashes Have Spiked
“2020 was a terrible year in many regards including traffic safety,” said Jonathan Adkins with the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Virginia
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Virginia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Virginia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
Virginia
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
8 years
Virginia
Provisions for Mature Drivers
75 and over: renewal every 5 years in person with vision test (in person or physician report)
Virginia
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
70
Virginia
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
70
Virginia
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
70
Virginia
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
70
Virginia
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
65
Virginia
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
65
Virginia
Open container laws
No
Virginia
Repeat Offender Laws
yes
Virginia
Increased penalty for high BAC
.15 and .20
Virginia
Administrative license suspension on first offense
7 days
Virginia
Limited driving privileges during suspension
None
Virginia
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions
Virginia
Child Restraint Required
Under 2 years old in rear-facing seat (or until minimum weight requirement reached)
7 yrs or under
Children in rear-facing devices must be in a rear seat if available - otherwise, in front only if front passenger airbag is deactivated
Virginia
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8-17 yrs (4-7 yrs with physician's exemption)
Virginia
Full Privilege Minimum Age
18 years
Virginia
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 / 6
Virginia
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
9
Virginia
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
45 (15)
Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 / 3
Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 4 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement)
Virginia
Type of Law
Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18
Virginia
Who is Covered?
All drivers; passengers 18 and over
Virginia
In What Seat?
Front Under 18: All (primary enforcement)
Virginia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Virginia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Virginia
Speed Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law
Virginia
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
School crossing zones and highway work zones
Virginia
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Virginia
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
Statewide; no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents in each community, except for communities under the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, which are allowed systems at not more than 10 intersections or no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents, whichever is greater
Virginia
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
Per se >0 for some drugs
Virginia
Marijuana Possession and Use
Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
Virginia
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
Speeding Increases During Pandemic, Prompting Safety Groups To Take Action
In a recent year, the death toll in the United States as a result of speed-related collisions was nearly 9,500 lives, about 26% of traffic fatalities.
New Program to Focus on 2020 Roadway Death Spike
The Governors Highway Safety Association, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Road Safety Foundation announced funding last week to “implement and evaluate speed management pilot programs” in Virginia and Maryland.
After Rise in Speeding During Pandemic, Groups Launch Initiatives to Slow Drivers Down
Three national roadway safety organizations — the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) — are partnering to fund and evaluate pilot projects by two states to reduce speeding.
After Rise in Speeding During Pandemic, Groups Launch Initiatives to Slow Drivers Down
GHSA News Release
March 4, 2021
After Rise in Speeding During Pandemic, Groups Launch Initiatives to Slow Drivers Down
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2021
CONTACT: Adam Snider (GHSA), 202-580-7930 or 202-365-8971 (after hours)
Joe Young (IIHS), 434-985-9244 or 504-641-0491 (after hours)
David Reich (NRSF), 914-325-9997
Why Virginia Is Helping Develop Innovative Alcohol Detection Technology
Social distancing has not reduced the frequency of drunken driving — which puts all road users in danger.
Speed, Lack of Seat Belt Use Leading to More Roadway Fatalities
Missouri and Virginia are the most recent states grappling with a spike in motor vehicle fatalities related to speed and lack of seat belt use, even though overall traffic volumes declined sharply due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
Virginia Sees Uptick in Unbelted and Speed-Related Crashes During COVID-19 Pandemic
Total crash numbers are down in the Commonwealth during the few months we've been in a pandemic, but an uptick in unbelted and speed-related crashes and crash fatalities have increased, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
'Lawlessness Out There': Speeding Epidemic Sparked by Stay-at-Home Orders
With streets emptier than usual, drivers have begun to take more liberties.
The Coronavirus Pandemic Emptied America’s Roadways. Now Speeders Have Taken Over.
Three months into the coronavirus pandemic, the United States faces another crisis: a surge in speeding and reckless behavior on the nation's roadways.
The Coronavirus Pandemic Emptied America's Roadways. Now Speeders Have Taken Over.
Story by Luz Lazo
May 11, 2020