Highway Safety

Pedestrian Safety

Walking Safety Tips:

  • Be vigilant. Keep your eyes on the road and obey both signs and signals.

  • Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far away from traffic as possible.

  • Cross safely at crosswalks or intersections; look for vehicles coming from both directions.

  • Don’t walk alone at night, if possible. If walking at night, wear reflective clothing and utilize a flashlight.

  • Always carry identification.

  • Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.

  • Avoid distracted walking; do not text or talk…focus on the what is around you.

  • Embrace walking and enjoy the weather!

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Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycle Safety Tips:

  • Select the right type of bike for your skill level and comfortability

  • Always wear a helmet, preferably a full-face helmet

  • Wear protective clothing and gear while riding. This includes DOT approved goggles, leather jacket, leather pants or chaps, over the ankle boots and non-slip gloves

  • Be sure to check the whether prior to going for a ride and know your limits

  • Research the roads of your trip to prepare yourself for the terrain

  • Be observant, watch for road hazards, and maintain a safe speed and distance between vehicles

  • Remember: you’re invisible at some points to drivers, ride defensively

For more information, please visit online.

Bicycle Safety

Bicycle Safety Tips:

  • Always wear a helmet, specifically, that correctly fits you

  • Adjust your bicycle to properly and comfortably fit your body

  • Maintain control of your bicycle; keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times

  • Ride in the same direction of traffic, NOT against it

  • Be sure to stop and look both ways, prior to making a turn

  • If possible, avoid riding at night. If you are riding at night, be sure to wear reflective clothing and utilize a flashlight

  • Obey all traffic laws and stay alert

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Move Over Laws

When approaching a stationary vehicle (1) displaying flashing red, blue or amber lights, or (2) that has activated its hazard warning lights, is displaying caution signs, or is marked with lit flares or torches, Virginia law (§ 46.2-861.1) requires that the driver of any motor vehicle*:

Move Over: 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

Slow Down: if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.

*The Move Over law applies only to vehicles operating on highways having at least four lanes with two of those intended for traffic proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle.

The Move Over law does not apply in highway work zones.

Depending upon the stationary vehicle, a violation is reckless driving or a traffic infraction.

Information provided by Virginia Department of Transportation.