{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-861.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-861.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-861.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-861.1.html"}],"law_id":55489,"edition_id":1,"section_id":55489,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-861.1","catch_line":"Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights on highways; penalties","history":"2019, c. 850; 2023, cc. 616, 617.","full_text":"A\n\nThe driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subsection B of § 46.2-1026 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection is reckless driving.B\n\nThe driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that (i) is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating amber light or lights as provided in subdivision A 1 or 2 of § 46.2-1025, (ii) has activated the vehicular hazard warning signal flashers, (iii) is displaying caution signs, or (iv) is marked with properly lit flares or torches shall (a) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (b) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection shall be punishable as a traffic infraction.C\n\nIf the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court may, in addition, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury or death to another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than two years.D\n\nThe provisions of this section shall not apply in highway work zones as defined in § 46.2-878.1.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":203385,"text":"The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or lights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subsection B of § 46.2-1026 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection is reckless driving.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":203386,"text":"The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that (i) is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating amber light or lights as provided in subdivision A 1 or 2 of § 46.2-1025, (ii) has activated the vehicular hazard warning signal flashers, (iii) is displaying caution signs, or (iv) is marked with properly lit flares or torches shall (a) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (b) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection shall be punishable as a traffic infraction.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":203387,"text":"If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court may, in addition, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury or death to another person, the court may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle for not more than two years.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":203388,"text":"The provisions of this section shall not apply in highway work zones as defined in § 46.2-878.1.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13413,"edition_id":1,"name":"Reckless Driving and Improper Driving","identifier":"7","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12875,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:51","permalink":{"id":230871,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13413,"identifier":"7","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/7\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12875,"edition_id":1,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":230189,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12875,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81167,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-852","catch_line":"Reckless driving; general rule","url":"\/46.2-852\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-852","metadata":false},{"id":79974,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-853","catch_line":"Driving vehicle which is not under control; faulty brakes","url":"\/46.2-853\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-853","metadata":false},{"id":82702,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-854","catch_line":"Passing on or at the crest of a grade or on a curve","url":"\/46.2-854\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-854","metadata":false},{"id":63229,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-855","catch_line":"Driving with driver's view obstructed or control impaired","url":"\/46.2-855\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-855","metadata":false},{"id":81455,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-856","catch_line":"Passing two vehicles abreast","url":"\/46.2-856\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-856","metadata":false},{"id":57560,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-857","catch_line":"Driving two abreast in a single lane","url":"\/46.2-857\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-857","metadata":false},{"id":55484,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-858","catch_line":"Passing at a railroad grade crossing","url":"\/46.2-858\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-858","metadata":false},{"id":54383,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-859","catch_line":"Passing a stopped school bus; prima facie evidence","url":"\/46.2-859\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-859","metadata":false},{"id":63384,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-860","catch_line":"Failing to give proper signals","url":"\/46.2-860\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-860","metadata":false},{"id":79399,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-861","catch_line":"Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions","url":"\/46.2-861\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861","metadata":false},{"id":55489,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-861.1","catch_line":"Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights on highways; penalties","url":"\/46.2-861.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861.1","metadata":false},{"id":81999,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-862","catch_line":"Exceeding speed limit","url":"\/46.2-862\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-862","metadata":false},{"id":59229,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-863","catch_line":"Failure to yield right-of-way","url":"\/46.2-863\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-863","metadata":false},{"id":57003,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-864","catch_line":"Reckless driving on parking lots, etc","url":"\/46.2-864\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-864","metadata":false},{"id":69860,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-865","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Racing or exhibition driving; definitions; penalties","url":"\/46.2-865\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865","metadata":false},{"id":71115,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-865.1","catch_line":"Injuring another or causing the death of another while engaging in a race or exhibition driving; penalties.","url":"\/46.2-865.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-865.1","metadata":false},{"id":86611,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-866","catch_line":"Racing or exhibition driving; aiders or abettors; penalty.","url":"\/46.2-866\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-866","metadata":false},{"id":73373,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-867","catch_line":"Racing; seizure of motor vehicle","url":"\/46.2-867\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-867","metadata":false},{"id":79469,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-867.1","catch_line":"Exhibition driving; impoundment of motor vehicle.","url":"\/46.2-867.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-867.1","metadata":false},{"id":71700,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-868","catch_line":"Reckless driving; penalties","url":"\/46.2-868\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-868","metadata":false},{"id":64733,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-868.1","catch_line":"Aggressive driving; penalties","url":"\/46.2-868.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-868.1","metadata":false},{"id":72718,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-869","catch_line":"Improper driving; penalty","url":"\/46.2-869\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-869","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79399,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-861","catch_line":"Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions","url":"\/46.2-861\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81999,"structure_id":13413,"section_number":"46.2-862","catch_line":"Exceeding speed limit","url":"\/46.2-862\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-862","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-861.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2019. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 850<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2023, chapters 616<\/a> and 617<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":60736,"section_number":"46.2-1022","catch_line":"Flashing or steady-burning blue or red, flashing red and blue or blue and white, or red, white, and blue warning lights","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1022\/"},{"id":78077,"section_number":"46.2-1023","catch_line":"Flashing red or red and white warning lights","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1023\/"},{"id":68894,"section_number":"46.2-1024","catch_line":"Flashing or steady-burning red or red and white warning light units","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1024\/"},{"id":61251,"section_number":"46.2-1025","catch_line":"Flashing amber, purple, or green warning lights","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1025\/"},{"id":79262,"section_number":"46.2-1026","catch_line":"Flashing high-intensity amber warning lights","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1026\/"},{"id":57192,"section_number":"46.2-878.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in highway work zones; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-878.1\/"}],"permalink":{"id":230913,"object_type":"law","relational_id":55489,"identifier":"46.2-861.1","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861.1","url":"\/46.2-861.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-861.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/7\/46.2-861.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary vehicles displaying certain warning lights on highways; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-861.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The driver<\/span> of any motor vehicle<\/span>, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light<\/span> or lights<\/span> as provided in § 46.2-1022<\/a>, 46.2-1023<\/a>, or 46.2-1024<\/a> or subsection B of § 46.2-1026<\/a> shall (i) on a highway<\/span> having at least four lanes<\/span>, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane<\/span> change into a lane<\/span> not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes<\/span> would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway<\/span> conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection is reckless driving<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The driver<\/span> of any motor vehicle<\/span>, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that (i) is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating amber light<\/span> or lights<\/span> as provided in subdivision A 1 or 2 of § 46.2-1025<\/a>, (ii) has activated the vehicular hazard warning signal flashers, (iii) is displaying caution signs, or (iv) is marked with properly lit flares or torches shall (a) on a highway<\/span> having at least four lanes<\/span>, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane<\/span> change into a lane<\/span> not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (b) if changing lanes<\/span> would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway<\/span> conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection shall be punishable as a traffic infraction<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court<\/span> may, in addition, order<\/span> the suspension<\/span> of the driver<\/span>’s privilege<\/span> to operate a motor vehicle<\/span> for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in injury or death to another person, the court<\/span> may, in addition to any other penalty<\/span> imposed, order<\/span> the suspension<\/span> of the driver<\/span>’s privilege<\/span> to operate a motor vehicle<\/span> for not more than two years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The provisions of this section shall not apply in highway<\/span> work zones as defined in § 46.2-878.1<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDRIVERS TO YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY OR REDUCE SPEED WHEN APPROACHING STATIONARY\nVEHICLES DISPLAYING CERTAIN WARNING LIGHTS ON HIGHWAYS; PENALTIES (\u00a7\n46.2-861.1)\n\nA. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that\nis displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber light or\nlights as provided in § 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, or 46.2-1024 or subsection B\nof § 46.2-1026 shall (i) on a highway having at least four lanes, at least\ntwo of which are intended for traffic proceeding as the approaching vehicle,\nproceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due regard for safety and traffic\nconditions, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not\nadjacent to the stationary vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be\nunreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for\nhighway conditions. A violation of any provision of this subsection is reckless\ndriving.\n\nB. The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary vehicle that\n(i) is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating amber light or lights as\nprovided in subdivision A 1 or 2 of § 46.2-1025, (ii) has activated the\nvehicular hazard warning signal flashers, (iii) is displaying caution signs, or\n(iv) is marked with properly lit flares or torches shall (a) on a highway having\nat least four lanes, at least two of which are intended for traffic proceeding\nas the approaching vehicle, proceed with caution and, if reasonable, with due\nregard for safety and traffic conditions, yield the right-of-way by making a\nlane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary vehicle or (b) if\nchanging lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and\nmaintain a safe speed for highway conditions. A violation of any provision of\nthis subsection shall be punishable as a traffic infraction.\n\nC. If the violation resulted in damage to property of another person, the court\nmay, in addition, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to\noperate a motor vehicle for not more than one year. If the violation resulted in\ninjury or death to another person, the court may, in addition to any other\npenalty imposed, order the suspension of the driver’s privilege to operate\na motor vehicle for not more than two years.\n\nD. The provisions of this section shall not apply in highway work zones as\ndefined in § 46.2-878.1.\n\nHISTORY: 2019, c. 850; 2023, cc. 616, 617.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}