The speed of any motor vehicle may be determined by the use of (i) a laser speed determination device, (ii) radar, (iii) a microcomputer device that is physically connected to an odometer cable and both measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle, or (iv) a microcomputer device that is located aboard an airplane or helicopter and measures and records distance traveled and elapsed time to determine the average speed of a motor vehicle being operated on highways within the Interstate System of highways as defined in § 33.2-100. The speed of motor vehicles may be determined by the use of a photo speed monitoring device as authorized in § 46.2-882.1. The results of such determinations shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the speed of such motor vehicle in any court or legal proceeding where the speed of the motor vehicle is at issue.
In any court or legal proceeding in which any question arises about the calibration or accuracy of any laser speed determination device, radar, microcomputer device, or photo speed monitoring device as described in this section used to determine the speed of any motor vehicle, a certificate, or a true copy thereof, showing the calibration or accuracy of (a) the speedometer of any vehicle, (b) any tuning fork employed in calibrating or testing the radar or other speed determination device, or (c) any other method employed in calibrating or testing any laser speed determination device or photo speed monitoring device, and when and by whom the calibration was made, shall be admissible as evidence of the facts therein stated. No calibration or testing of any device other than a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than six months. No calibration or testing of a photo speed monitoring device shall be valid for longer than 12 months.
The driver of any such motor vehicle may be arrested without a warrant under this section if the arresting officer is in uniform and displays his badge of authority and if the officer has observed the registration of the speed of such motor vehicle by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section, or has received a radio message from the officer who observed the speed of the motor vehicle registered by the laser speed determination device, radar, or microcomputer device as described in this section. However, in case of an arrest based on such a message, such radio message shall have been dispatched immediately after the speed of the motor vehicle was registered and furnished the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle and the registered speed to the arresting officer.
Neither State Police officers nor local law-enforcement officers shall use laser speed determination devices or radar, as described herein in airplanes or helicopters for the purpose of determining the speed of motor vehicles.
State Police officers may use laser speed determination devices, radar, and/or microcomputer devices as described in this section. All localities may use radar and laser speed determination devices to measure speed. State Police officers and local law-enforcement may use photo speed monitoring devices to measure speed as authorized in § 46.2-882.1. The Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and towns within such counties may use microcomputer devices as described in this section.
The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to § 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper equipment used to determine the speed of motor vehicles and shall advise the respective law-enforcement officials of the same. Police chiefs and sheriffs shall ensure that all such equipment and devices purchased on or after July 1, 1986, meet or exceed the standards established by the Division.
Code 1950, § 46-215.2; 1954, c. 313; 1956, c. 216; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-198; 1966, c. 585; 1968, c. 497; 1974, c. 554; 1984, c. 357; 1986, c. 530; 1988, c. 712; 1989, c. 727; 1990, cc. 691, 974; 1991, c. 345; 1994, c. 734; 1997, c. 33; 1998, c. 423; 1999, cc. 693, 694, 698, 724, 729, 733; 2000, cc. 354, 357, 365; 2002, c. 109; 2003, cc. 608, 965; 2006, c. 930; 2007, c. 231; 2020, c. 1232.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 8 - Regulation of Traffic
§ 46.2-800.1. Riding animals on highways after sunset
§ 46.2-800.3. Driving in flooded areas prohibited
§ 46.2-801. Chapter applicable to drivers of all vehicles regardless of ownership
§ 46.2-802. Drive on right side of highways; penalty
§ 46.2-803. Keep to the right in crossing intersections or railroads
§ 46.2-804. Special regulations applicable on highways laned for traffic; penalty
§ 46.2-805. Lane-use control signals
§ 46.2-806. One-way roadways and highways
§ 46.2-807. Path of travel at circular intersections
§ 46.2-808.1. Use of crossovers on controlled access highways; penalty
§ 46.2-808.2. Violations committed within highway safety corridor; report on benefits
§ 46.2-809. Regulation of truck traffic on primary and secondary highways
§ 46.2-809.1. Regulation of residential cut-through traffic by Board
§ 46.2-810. Age limits for drivers of public passenger-carrying vehicles
§ 46.2-810.1. Smoking in vehicle with a minor present; civil penalty
§ 46.2-811. Coasting prohibited
§ 46.2-812. Driving more than thirteen hours in twenty-four prohibited
§ 46.2-813. Occupation of trailer being towed on highways
§ 46.2-814. Driving through safety zone prohibited
§ 46.2-815. Hauling certain cargoes through tunnels in violation of posted signs; penalty
§ 46.2-816. Following too closely
§ 46.2-816.1. Careless driving and infliction of injury or death on vulnerable road users; penalty
§ 46.2-817. Disregarding signal by law-enforcement officer to stop; eluding police; penalties
§ 46.2-818.1. Opening and closing motor vehicle doors; penalty
§ 46.2-819.2. Driving a motor vehicle from establishment where motor fuel offered for sale; penalty
§ 46.2-819.3. Use of toll facility without payment of toll; enforcement; penalty
§ 46.2-819.4. Smoking in proximity to gas pumps; penalty
§ 46.2-819.6. Invoice for unpaid toll
§ 46.2-819.8. Toll grace period
§ 46.2-819.9. Agreements for enforcement of tolling violations against nonresidents
§ 46.2-819.10. Withholding of vehicle registration for enforcement of out-of-state toll violations
§ 46.2-820. Right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, generally
§ 46.2-821. Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way
§ 46.2-822. Right-of-way at circular intersections
§ 46.2-823. Unlawful speed forfeits right-of-way
§ 46.2-824. Right-of-way at uncontrolled "T" intersections
§ 46.2-825. Left turn traffic to yield right-of-way
§ 46.2-827. Right-of-way of United States forces, troops, National Guard, etc.
§ 46.2-828.1. Impeding or disrupting certain funeral processions; penalty
§ 46.2-828.2. Impeding or disrupting vehicles operating under a valid highway hauling permit
§ 46.2-830.1. Failure to obey highway sign where driver sleeping or resting
§ 46.2-830.2. Pedestrians with disabilities; traffic signs
§ 46.2-831. Unofficial traffic control devices prohibited; penalties
§ 46.2-832. Damaging or removing traffic control devices or street address signs
§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty
§ 46.2-833.1. Evasion of traffic control devices
§ 46.2-834. Signals by law-enforcement officers, crossing guards, and flaggers
§ 46.2-835. Right turn on steady red light after stopping
§ 46.2-836. Left turn on steady red after stopping
§ 46.2-837. Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions
§ 46.2-838. Passing when overtaking a vehicle
§ 46.2-841. When overtaking vehicle may pass on right
§ 46.2-842. Driver to give way to overtaking vehicle
§ 46.2-842.1. Drivers to give way to certain overtaking vehicles on divided highways
§ 46.2-843. Limitations on overtaking and passing
§ 46.2-844. Passing stopped school buses; penalty; prima facie evidence; penalty
§ 46.2-845. Limitation on U-turns
§ 46.2-846. Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations
§ 46.2-848. Signals required on backing, stopping, or turning
§ 46.2-850. Change of course after giving signal
§ 46.2-851. Signals prior to moving standing vehicles into traffic
§ 46.2-852. Reckless driving; general rule
§ 46.2-853. Driving vehicle which is not under control; faulty brakes
§ 46.2-854. Passing on or at the crest of a grade or on a curve
§ 46.2-855. Driving with driver's view obstructed or control impaired
§ 46.2-856. Passing two vehicles abreast
§ 46.2-857. Driving two abreast in a single lane
§ 46.2-858. Passing at a railroad grade crossing
§ 46.2-859. Passing a stopped school bus; prima facie evidence
§ 46.2-860. Failing to give proper signals
§ 46.2-861. Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions
§ 46.2-862. Exceeding speed limit
§ 46.2-863. Failure to yield right-of-way
§ 46.2-864. Reckless driving on parking lots, etc.
§ 46.2-865.1. Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race; penalties
§ 46.2-866. Racing; aiders or abettors
§ 46.2-867. Racing; seizure of motor vehicle
§ 46.2-868. Reckless driving; penalties
§ 46.2-868.1. Aggressive driving; penalties
§ 46.2-869. Improper driving; penalty
§ 46.2-870. Maximum speed limits generally
§ 46.2-871. Maximum speed limit for school buses
§ 46.2-872. Maximum speed limits for vehicles operating under special permits
§ 46.2-873. Maximum speed limits at school crossings; penalty
§ 46.2-873.1. Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways
§ 46.2-873.2. Maximum speed limit on rural rustic roads
§ 46.2-874. Maximum speed limit in business and residence districts
§ 46.2-874.1. Exceptions to maximum speed limits in residence districts; penalty
§ 46.2-875. Maximum speed limit on certain other highways in cities and towns
§ 46.2-876. Maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles towing certain trailers
§ 46.2-877. Minimum speed limits
§ 46.2-878. Authority to change speed limits
§ 46.2-878.1. Maximum speed limits in highway work zones; penalty
§ 46.2-878.2:1. Maximum speed limits on certain roads
§ 46.2-878.3. Prepayment of fines for violations of speed limits
§ 46.2-879. No conviction for speeding in certain areas unless markers installed
§ 46.2-880. Tables of speed and stopping distances
§ 46.2-881. Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates
§ 46.2-883. Signs indicating legal rate of speed and measurement of speed by radar
§ 46.2-884. Railroad warning signals must be obeyed
§ 46.2-885. When vehicles to stop at railroad grade crossings
§ 46.2-888. Stopping on highways; removing motor vehicle from roadway
§ 46.2-889. Location of parked vehicles
§ 46.2-890. Stopping in vicinity of fire or emergency
§ 46.2-891. Exemption for highway construction and maintenance vehicles
§ 46.2-892. Rural mail carriers stopping on highways
§ 46.2-893. Stopping on highways to discharge cargo or passengers; school buses
§ 46.2-896. Duties of driver in event of accident involving damage only to unattended property
§ 46.2-898. Reports are in addition to others
§ 46.2-899. Article applies to accidents on private or public property
§ 46.2-900. Penalty for violation of §§ 46.2-895 through 46.2-897
§ 46.2-901. Suspension of driver's license for failure to report certain accidents
§ 46.2-902. Leaving scene of accident when directed to do so by officer
§ 46.2-903. Riding or driving vehicles on sidewalks; exceptions
§ 46.2-904.1. Electric power-assisted bicycles
§ 46.2-907. Overtaking and passing vehicles
§ 46.2-908.1:1. Personal delivery devices
§ 46.2-908.2. Low-speed vehicles; required equipment
§ 46.2-909. Riding on motorcycles, generally
§ 46.2-911.1. Operation of motor-driven cycles on public highways prohibited
§ 46.2-912. Operating motorcycle without headlight, horn or rearview mirror
§ 46.2-914. Limitations on operation of mopeds
§ 46.2-915. Stickers required on mopeds
§ 46.2-915.1. All-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles; penalty
§ 46.2-915.2. Safety equipment for mopeds; effect of violation; penalty
§ 46.2-916. Ordinances providing for the disposition of unregistered or unlicensed motorcycles
§ 46.2-916.2. Designation of public highways for golf cart and utility vehicle operations
§ 46.2-916.3. Limitations on golf cart and utility vehicle operations on designated public highways
§ 46.2-917.1. School buses hired to transport children
§ 46.2-917.2. School buses operating under State Corporation Commission or Department certificate
§ 46.2-918. School buses to be routed so as to avoid necessity of pupils' crossing divided highways
§ 46.2-919. Age limit for drivers of school buses
§ 46.2-919.1. Use of wireless telecommunications devices by persons driving school buses
§ 46.2-920.2. Operation of vehicles owned or controlled by the Wildlife Center of Virginia
§ 46.2-921. Following or parking near fire apparatus or emergency medical services vehicle
§ 46.2-922. Driving over fire hose
§ 46.2-923. How and where pedestrians to cross highways
§ 46.2-924. Drivers to stop for pedestrians; installation of certain signs; penalty
§ 46.2-925. Pedestrian control signals
§ 46.2-926. Pedestrians stepping into highway where they cannot be seen
§ 46.2-927. Boarding or alighting from buses
§ 46.2-928. Pedestrians not to use roadway except when necessary; keeping to left
§ 46.2-929. Pedestrians soliciting rides
§ 46.2-930. Loitering on bridges or highway rights-of-way
§ 46.2-934. Failure to use cane or guide dog not contributory negligence
§ 46.2-935. Regulation by ordinance in counties, cities, and towns
§ 46.2-937. Traffic infractions treated as misdemeanors for arrest purposes
§ 46.2-939. Authority of law-enforcement officers to issue subpoenas
§ 46.2-940. When arresting officer shall take person before issuing authority
§ 46.2-941. Conditions precedent to issuance of summons for violation of parking ordinance; notice
§ 46.2-942. Admissibility of results of speedometer test in prosecution for exceeding speed limit
§ 46.2-943. Court or jury may consider defendant's prior traffic record before sentencing