The Big Surge in 2020 Traffic Deaths Had an Uneven Toll
The rise in U.S. road deaths after Covid-19 hit was historic, but it was especially concentrated among certain groups of people, new federal data show.
West Virginia
GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of West Virginia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
West Virginia
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 15.
West Virginia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1971.
West Virginia
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
5 years
West Virginia
Provisions for Mature Drivers
None
West Virginia
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
West Virginia
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.)
West Virginia
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
West Virginia
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)
60 or 65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
West Virginia
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
West Virginia
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)
65 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)
West Virginia
Administrative license suspension on first offense
6 months
West Virginia
Limited driving privileges during suspension
After 30 days
West Virginia
Ignition Interlocks
Mandatory for high BAC (.15 or higher) and repeat convictions
West Virginia
Open container laws
Yes
West Virginia
Repeat Offender Laws
Yes
West Virginia
Increased penalty for high BAC
0.15
West Virginia
Child Restraint Required
7 yrs or under and under 4'9" tall
West Virginia
Adult Safety Belt Permissible
8 yrs and older and 4'9" or taller
West Virginia
Full Privilege Minimum Age
17 years
West Virginia
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15
West Virginia
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6
West Virginia
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10); 0 with driver's ed.
West Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
West Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
West Virginia
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Second 6 months: no more than one passenger under 20
West Virginia
Type of Law
Primary
West Virginia
Who is Covered?
8 and over
West Virginia
In What Seat?
8-17 yrs: Front
West Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
West Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
West Virginia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
West Virginia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
West Virginia
Speed Cameras: State Law
Prohibited
West Virginia
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
West Virginia
Red Light Cameras: State Law
Prohibited
West Virginia
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted
n/a
West Virginia
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs
None
West Virginia
Marijuana Possession and Use
Legal for medical use
West Virginia
Marijuana Impaired Driving
None
DUID Training Grant: West Virginia
The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) used grant funding from GHSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to hold a multiday training session to educate participants on different aspects of drugged driving cases and the prosecution process.
The West Virginia GHSP partnered with the West Virginia Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP) to organize a “West Virginia Prosecuting the Drugged Driver Course” in September 2019. Thirteen Assistant Prosecutors/Assistant Attorneys General and 12 drug recognition expert (DRE) officers attended.
States Receive New Federal Drugged Driving Grants
Through federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GHSA is pleased to announce that six states have received funding to help law enforcement better address drug-impaired driving.
Officers slowly becoming drug recognition experts
Aimee Cantrell of the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program speaks to the importance of Drug Recognition Expert training.
Director of Highway Safety in WV Division of Motor Vehicles says drunk driving arrests are down
West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Bob Tipton explains the challenges to curbing drugged driving.
Responsibility.org Drugged Driving Grant Results: West Virginia
The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program was one of the recipients of GHSA and Responsibility.org's 2017 grants to combat drug-impaired driving.
Bicycle Helmet Laws: West Virginia
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 15.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws: West Virginia
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Universal helmet law enacted 1971.
Mature Driver Laws: West Virginia
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle
5 years
Speed Limit Laws: West Virginia
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)
70 (West Virginia speed limits, in general, are not set by law, but by the Commissioner of the Division of Highways)