subject: Effective July 1, 2010: New Virginia Traffic Laws [print this page] The Virginia General Assembly passed almost 900 new laws this year. Several of those take effect today, July 1.
Among these:
New Speed Limits
After conducting several traffic engineering studies, the Virginia Department of Transportation can now raise the speed limit from 65 to 70 mph on interstates and other highways. The only change thus far will be raising the speed limit on I-295 from Petersburg to I-64 east of Richmond. While other places have been subject of speculation or identified as areas of interest, studies still need to be completed on the effect of a new speed limit before changes can take place.
Seat Belts for all Minors
16 and 17-year olds riding in the back seat must buckle up, and can be ticketed if a police officer notices they aren't wearing a seat belt. Previously, only children under the age of 15 were required to wear a seat belt in the back seat. All are still required to wear a seat belt if riding in the front seat.
Additionally, a law enforcement officer can ticket any passenger under the age of 18 riding in the front seat without a seat belt. That's no change, however, previously an infraction could only be given if the car had been pulled over for a different offense. Now, the officer can pull a driver over simply because one of the passengers is riding without a seat belt.
Move Over!
Like many other states, Virginia is extending a law that protects law enforcement officers to offer protection to highway maintenance and other personnel. A driver approaching a tow truck or highway-maintenance vehicle flashing amber lights must change lanes if possible, or slow down substantially. Previously, this law only applied to emergency vehicles with blue or red lights flashing.
New Underage Drinking Law
No, theyre not changing the drinking age. In a nutshell: restrictions and penalties are getting tougher.
An underage person who commits a second offense of possession of alcohol can lose their drivers license for up to a year, whether or not theyd been driving while alcohol was found in their possession.
Currently, they can lose their license for up to six months. The new law doubles that time period.
Another change: courts will no longer be able to issue a restricted drivers license (a license allowing a sentenced minor to drive to and from school) for any minor convicted of a DUI while under the age of 18.
