SB116: Bicycle operators; failure to stop at a stop sign.

SENATE BILL NO. 116

Offered January 12, 2022
Prefiled January 7, 2022
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-821 of the Code of Virginia, relating to bicycle operators; failure to stop at a stop sign.
Patron-- Norment

Referred to Committee on Transportation

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46.2-821 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-821. Vehicles before entering certain highways shall stop or yield right-of-way.

The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection on a highway controlled by a stop sign shall, immediately before entering such intersection, stop at a clearly marked stop line, or, in the absence of a stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, in the absence of a marked crosswalk, stop at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Before proceeding, he shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction. If the operator of a bicycle fails to stop as required by this section, the operator shall be subject, in addition to any other fines or penalties set forth in this title, to a minimum fine of $500, and the law-enforcement officer issuing the citation shall impound the operator's bicycle for a period of six months.

Where a "Yield Right-of-Way" sign is posted, the driver of a vehicle approaching or entering such intersection shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, yield the right-of-way to the driver of another vehicle approaching or entering such intersection from another direction, and, if required for safety, shall stop at a clearly marked stop or yield line, or, in the absence of a stop or yield line, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway, and shall yield the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.