RICHMOND—As AAA estimates over 1 million Virginians will travel distances by car over the Memorial Day weekend, roadway safety advocates are reminding motorists of updated traffic safety laws.
The hands-free” phone law is the law banning the use of hand-held communications devices while driving on Virginia’s roadways, enacted in 2021. The Department of Motor Vehicles assigns three demerit points for the primary offense, plus fines starting at $125.
The DMV’s annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt education and enforcement campaign is ongoing. Drive Smart Virginia partners with the DMV to promote the campaign each May.
“The Click It or Ticket message reminds everyone to wear their seatbelt or face getting a ticket,” said David Tenembaum, Drive Smart board treasurer and senior actuarial manager at Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “Additionally, Drive Smart’s social-norming campaign Love Clicks reminds Virginians of the law—all vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt.”
Ahead of holiday travel, motorists also are reminded of Virginia’s Move Over law.
Amended in 2023, the law requires drivers to change lanes when possible or slow down for any vehicle on the roadside flashing amber or hazard lights, triangles or flares. This includes utility, tow and roadside assistance trucks. The law applies on highways with at least four lanes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 22 until noon on Tuesday, May 26. However, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time.
Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.
VDOT’s free mobile 511 app is a route resource that offers options for hands-free and eyes-free audible information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle charging stations, traffic alerts for incidents and construction along a summer travel route. Traffic information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.
The 511 Virginia website also includes a travel trends map for the Memorial Day holiday period, showing peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming holiday travel period. While it cannot precisely predict when congestion will occur this year, it can help motorists avoid travel when traffic has historically moved the slowest. Using the menu at the top of 511.vdot.virginia.gov, click “Holiday Travel” to select the map for Memorial Day, which shows peak congestion periods anticipated on Virginia interstates during the upcoming holiday.
Media: Contact Rich Jacobs, DSV, at 804-929-2988.
