Virginia Road Rules

A quick rant about basic Road Rules

WHY must people sit in the fast lane and drive slow??? Everyone knows (or SHOULD know) that the left lane is for passing. Sure, if there’s a lot of traffic in the right lane, you could ride in the left. But at least do the speed limit for crying out loud, and move back over to the right when you’ve gotten past the cars. PLEASE! I’m begging you from the tread of my tires. Road Rage happens for a reason. People get frustrated, do stupid things, then cause accidents.

Now that I’ve gotten THAT off my hood, let’s talk about some other rules of the road that you might need reminding of. Every time you get behind the wheel, you accept responsibility for your actions. You must obey Virginia’s traffic laws, and ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and other motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists on the roadways.

Seat Belts

Under Virginia law, the driver and all front seat passengers must wear safety belts. A driver transporting anyone younger than age 18 must ensure that the passenger is properly secured in a safety belt, booster seat or child safety seat no matter where the child is seated in the vehicle. Believe it or not, there are some states that do not have a seat belt law. New Hampshire has enacted neither a primary nor a secondary seat belt law for adults. That may be because of their “Live Free Or Die” mentality ???? They don’t have a helmet law either.

Turn Right On Red After Stop

In Virginia, we can turn right on red after stop (UNLESS there is a sign that specifically says you can’t). That means if you come to a complete stop at a red light and you’re planning to turn right, you look to your left and if it’s clear, you can proceed. It’s a GREAT rule and terrific timesaver. I will say however, not ALL STATES have the ‘right on red’ rule. New York, for instance, does not allow you to turn right on red after stop.

 Where Do I Put My Hands?

Is it 10 and 2? 1 and 7? Of course you’ll hear different things, but most people just put their hands on the steering wheel however it feels comfortable to them. The DMV says “Sit straight but relaxed and place your hands on the steering wheel. If your steering wheel were a clock, your hands should be at the 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock positions. Hold the wheel with your fingers and thumbs. Avoid gripping it with your palms.” So there you have it. 8 and 4.

The Virginia Driver’s Manual will help you learn and understand safe driving practices. CLICK HERE to get it.

We love Virginia. So much variety in it’s terrain. We have Mountains and Rivers; Bays and Ocean; white sands and red clay; green grass and pale yellow straw. You get the picture. Drive safely and take care of yourself and your family! And if you need insurance from a Virginian Insurance Agency, well, we MIGHT be ABLE to recommend someone!