SB1550: Bicyclists & other vulnerable road users; person who operates a motor vehicle in a careless manner.


SENATE BILL NO. 1550
Senate Amendments in [ ] -- February 4, 2019
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-841 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-816.1, relating to bicyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Patrons Prior to Engrossment--Senators Surovell, DeSteph and Marsden

Referred to Committee on Transportation

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-841 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-816.1 as follows:

§ 46.2-816.1. Careless driving and infliction of injury on vulnerable road users.

A. As used in this section, "vulnerable road user" means a pedestrian or a person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, wheelchair, skateboard, roller or in-line skates, foot-scooter, or animal-drawn vehicle or riding an animal.

B. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner such that the careless or distracted operation is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury as defined in § 18.2-369 to a vulnerable road user who is lawfully present on the highway at the time of injury.

C. A prosecution or proceeding under § 46.2-852 is a bar to a prosecution or proceeding under this section for the same act, and a prosecution or proceeding under this section is a bar to a prosecution or proceeding under § 46.2-852 for the same act.

§ 46.2-841. When overtaking vehicle may pass on right.

A. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:

1. When the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, and its driver has given the required signal;

2. On a highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;

3. On a one-way street or on any one-way roadway when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

B. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving on paved shoulders is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall be made by driving on the shoulder of the highway or off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.

C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle [ , except as provided in § 46.2-920.1, 46.2-1210, or 46.2-1212.1, as directed by a law-enforcement officer, or when the roadway is otherwise impassable due to weather conditions, an accident, or an emergency situation ] .

SENATE BILL NO. 1550

Offered January 9, 2019
Prefiled January 8, 2019
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-841 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-816.1, relating to bicyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Patron-- Surovell

Referred to Committee on Transportation

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-841 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-816.1 as follows:

§ 46.2-816.1. Careless driving and infliction of injury on vulnerable road users.

A. As used in this section, "vulnerable road user" means a pedestrian or a person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, wheelchair, skateboard, roller or in-line skates, foot-scooter, or animal-drawn vehicle or riding an animal.

B. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner such that the careless or distracted operation is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury as defined in § 18.2-369 to a vulnerable road user who is lawfully present on the highway at the time of injury.

C. A prosecution or proceeding under § 46.2-852 is a bar to a prosecution or proceeding under this section for the same act, and a prosecution or proceeding under this section is a bar to a prosecution or proceeding under § 46.2-852 for the same act.

§ 46.2-841. When overtaking vehicle may pass on right.

A. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass to the right of another vehicle only:

1. When the overtaken vehicle is making or about to make a left turn, and its driver has given the required signal;

2. On a highway with unobstructed pavement, not occupied by parked vehicles, of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction;

3. On a one-way street or on any one-way roadway when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.

B. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Except where driving on paved shoulders is permitted by lawfully placed signs, no such movement shall be made by driving on the shoulder of the highway or off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.

C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B, nothing in this section shall permit a motor vehicle to cross a solid line designating a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle.