Virginia bicycle accident

Recent Changes to Virginia Traffic Laws

Highway safety is a major concern in the state of Virginia. That’s why lawmakers have passed several new laws aimed at preventing traffic accidents in the commonwealth. Our Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to fill you in on the changes that took effect July 1.

Move Over Law

Motorists are now required to give at least one lane of space to any emergency vehicle that is stopped and has its lights or sirens activated. If a driver is on a two-lane road and is approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, the driver should slow down to at least 10 MPH below the posted speed limit and give at least two feet of space when passing the stopped vehicle.

Tailgating Laws

In an effort to reduce Virginia bicycle accident numbers, lawmakers have passed new regulations that prohibit motorists from following bicycles too closely. Violations of the law will result in a citation.

Crossing Double Yellow Lines

In another effort to keep cyclists safe, legislators passed an ordinance that will now allow motorists to cross double yellow lines when passing a bicycle on the road, as long as the maneuver can be made safely. An article from NBC 29 News explains this will allow cyclists and pedestrians more space on roads that do not have specified bike or pedestrian lanes.

Stay Safe

Our legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers understand the dangers motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians each face on the road. That’s why we’re hopeful these changes will offer vulnerable travelers more protection when on the road.

DMV Launches Campaign to Reduce Virginia Bicycle Accident Numbers

The number of collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles has steadily increased over the years. Data shows that last year, a total of 12 cyclists lost their lives as the result of a Virginia bicycle accident, which was a 50 percent increase from the previous year’s total.

To help reduce Virginia bicycle accident numbers, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is sponsoring several campaigns to help spread the message of bicycle safety across the commonwealth. One of those projects involves citizens sharing photos of themselves wearing bicycle helmets.

Wearing a helmet can reduce a cyclist’s chances of being seriously injured or killed in an accident by as much as 65 percent. So the DMV is asking area residents to post “selfies” to social media platforms using the tag #safetylooksgoodonyou as a heading. The DMV will then use the photos to promote helmet use and bicycle safety.

An article from NBC 29 News says children can get involved with spreading the message as well by printing off one of the DMV’s coloring pages. Kids should then ask their parents to mail in the finished coloring job, where it will then be displayed at the DMV’s Richmond Central Customer Service Center.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the importance of staying safe while riding a bicycle. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are encouraging you to do your part to help promote bicycle safety in our communities.