RICHMOND—With AAA projecting that more than 1 million Virginia residents will hit the roads for Memorial Day weekend travel, transportation safety advocates are highlighting current traffic regulations for drivers.
Virginia’s “hands-free” driving regulation prohibits drivers from using handheld communication devices while operating vehicles, a rule that took effect in 2021. Violators face three demerit points from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with penalties beginning at $125.
The state’s yearly Click It or Ticket seatbelt awareness and enforcement initiative continues throughout May. Drive Smart Virginia collaborates with the DMV to advance this campaign annually.
“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.”
Before holiday travel begins, drivers should also remember Virginia’s Move Over regulation.
Updated in 2023, this requirement mandates that motorists switch lanes when feasible or reduce speed for any roadside vehicle displaying amber warning lights, hazard signals, triangles or flares. The regulation covers utility vehicles, towing services and roadside assistance trucks on highways containing four or more lanes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to halt numerous highway construction projects and remove temporary lane restrictions on interstates and major thoroughfares from noon Friday, May 22 through noon Tuesday, May 26. Drivers may still encounter long-term construction areas that will stay active during this period.
Travelers can review VDOT’s Travel Advisories for current traffic alerts throughout their region and statewide.
VDOT offers a complimentary mobile 511 application that provides hands-free audio updates about construction activities, traffic conditions, accidents and congestion, plus access to traffic monitoring cameras, weather information, electric vehicle charging locations, and travel alerts for incidents and roadwork along vacation routes. Traffic details are also accessible at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.
The 511 Virginia platform features a travel patterns map for the Memorial Day holiday showing expected peak congestion times on Virginia interstates during the approaching holiday travel season. Though it cannot exactly forecast when traffic jams will develop this year, it helps drivers avoid traveling during historically slow periods. Using the navigation menu at 511.vdot.virginia.gov, select “Holiday Travel” to view the Memorial Day map displaying anticipated peak congestion periods on Virginia interstates during the upcoming holiday.
Media: Contact Rich Jacobs, DSV, at 804-929-2988.
