Virginia 2023 Regular Session Status: Enacted

SB 982 — Stationary vehicles; yielding or reducing speed for vehicles displaying hazard lights, etc.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0617)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 2023. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on March 26, 2023.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Failed a recorded vote

    Failed 5 recorded votes so far — a real headwind.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

32 added · 32 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended bill clarifies that drivers must yield the right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights, including blue, red, or amber lights. It specifies that this applies on highways with at least four lanes, where at least two are for traffic in the same direction. Additionally, the bill now includes provisions regarding vehicles with activated hazard lights, caution signs, or flares. This change aims to improve safety for both drivers and stationary vehicles on the highway.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-861.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to yielding or reducing speed for stationary vehicles;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2023 SESSION CHAPTER 617 An Act to amend and reenact § 46.2-861.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to yielding or reducing speed for stationary vehicles;
vehicles displaying hazard lights, caution signs, or road flaRes.
vehicles displaying hazard lights, caution signs, or road flares.
[S 982] O Approved L L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
[S 982] Approved March 26, 2023 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
E displaying certain warning lights on highways;
§ 46.2-861.1.
penalties.speed when approaching stationary vehiDles A.
Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights on highways;
The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subsection B of § 46.2-1026 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes wouldy be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway condiSions.
penalties.
A.
The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subsection B of § 46.2-1026 shall (i) on a highway having at least four caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way byh making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.
9 B.
B.
The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that (i) is displa2ing a flashing, blinking, or alternating amber light or lights as provided in subdivision A 1 or 2 ofR signs, or (iv) is marked with properly lit flares or torches shall (i) (a) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) (b) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conC.
The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that (i) is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating amber light or lights as provided in subdivision A 1 or 2 of § 46.2-1025, (ii) has activated the vehicular hazard warning signal flashers, (iii) is displaying caution signs, or (iv) is marked with properly lit flares or torches shall (i) (a) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) (b) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.
A violation of any provision of this subsection shall be punishable as a traffic infraction.
C.
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Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0617)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 617 (effective 7/1/23)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., March 27, 2023

  4. Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on March 2, 2023

  5. Signed by Speaker

  6. Signed by President

  7. Impact statement from DPB (SB982ER)

  8. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB982ER)

  9. Enrolled

  10. VOTE: Block Vote Passage (99-Y 0-N)

  11. Passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)

  12. Read third time

  13. Read second time

  14. Reported from Transportation (22-Y 0-N)

  15. Referred to Committee on Transportation

  16. Read first time

  17. Placed on Calendar

  18. Impact statement from DPB (SB982)

  19. Read third time and passed Senate (29-Y 8-N)

  20. Read second time and engrossed

  21. Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N)

  22. Reported from Transportation (12-Y 2-N)

  23. Referred to Committee on Transportation

  24. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/23 23102033D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Votes

Subjects

public-safety transportation
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 982?
SB 982 is sponsored by David W. Marsden.
What is the current status of SB 982?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 06, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 982?
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