GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Virginia. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Authorizes AV testing.
Universal helmet law enacted 1970.
8 years
75 and over: renewal every 5 years in person with vision test (in person or physician report)
70
70
65
65
70
70
.15 and .20
7 days
None
Mandatory for repeat convictions; highly incentivized for first convictions
No
yes
Under 2 years old in rear-facing seat (or until minimum weight requirement reached)
7 yrs or under
Children in rear-facing devices must be in a rear seat if available - otherwise, in front only if front passenger airbag is deactivated
8-17 yrs (4-7 yrs with physician's exemption)
15 / 6
9
45 (15)
16 / 3
Midnight - 4 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement)
18 years
Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18
All drivers; passengers 18 and over
Front Under 18: All (primary enforcement)
Yes. Primary law.
Yes. Primary law.
No
All drivers. Primary law.
Permitted by state law
School crossing zones and highway work zones
Permitted by state law and city ordinance
Statewide; no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents in each community, except for communities under the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, which are allowed systems at not more than 10 intersections or no more than one intersection for every 10,000 residents, whichever is greater
Per se >0 for some drugs
Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
None
The D.C. region is dealing with a dangerous and sad increase in pedestrian crashes. Transportation reporter Adam Tuss talked with safety experts and police about what's going wrong and better ways to improve safety.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety seeks a Senior Research Transportation Engineer in Arlington, VA, to build our infrastructure research program. Our organization is at the forefront of efforts to find effective means of decreasing the incidence and severity of motor vehicle crashes. See more about our research department here. This position is eligible for up to 50% telework.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) seeks an Engineering Technician to join our dummy lab team in Ruckersville, VA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2021
“The most important thing you can do is wear your seatbelt, slow down, and let’s look out for each other,” said Jonathan Adkin, the Executive Director of the Governors Highway Safety Association. “Put your phone down and just drive.”
The coming anti-speeding pilot program represents a multi-state, multi-organization effort in cooperation with Maryland, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Road Safety Foundation.
Memorial Day weekend is one of the deadliest times on the nation's roads. And as you hit the road for the holiday weekend, police are hitting the roads too.
Story by Nick Minock
May 27, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2021
CONTACT: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930
202-365-8971 (after hours)
