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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>67650</law_id><section_number>46.2-1302</section_number><catch_line>Regulation of operation of vehicles in snow, sleet, etc.; designation of play areas; penalties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Operation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="13">Powers of Local Governments</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The <span class="dictionary">governing body</span> of any county, city, or town may by <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> regulate the operation of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> on the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> in such county, city, or town in the event of snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain, ice, water, flood, high wind, storm or the threat thereof. In addition to the general powers granted by this section, and any other provisions of this title notwithstanding, any such <span class="dictionary">ordinance</span> may:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Prohibit <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> from parking or operating on designated <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span>; <a id="paragraph-245086" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Authorize the designation and posting of <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> as snow routes and prohibit any person to obstruct or impede traffic on a <span class="dictionary">highway</span> designated and posted as a snow route through his failure to have the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> operated by him equipped with snow tires or chains; <a id="paragraph-245087" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Prohibit the abandoning of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> on designated <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span>; <a id="paragraph-245088" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Authorize the removal of <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> that are stalled, stuck, parked, or abandoned on designated <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span>; <a id="paragraph-245089" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Authorize the storing of removed <span class="dictionary">vehicles</span> and the imposition of reasonable charges for removal and storage; <a id="paragraph-245090" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Authorize the designation of certain <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span>, or portions thereof, as play areas for sledding and similar recreational activities. No city or town shall be liable in any <span class="dictionary">civil action</span> or proceeding for <span class="dictionary">damages</span> resulting from any injury to the person or property of any person caused by an act or omission constituting simple or ordinary <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> on the part of any officer or <span class="dictionary">agent</span> of any such city or town in the designation or operation of any such play area. Every such city or town may be liable in <span class="dictionary">damages</span> for the gross or wanton <span class="dictionary">negligence</span> of any of its officers or <span class="dictionary">agents</span> in the operation of any such play area; <a id="paragraph-245091" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Authorize and regulate the operation of <span class="dictionary">snowmobiles</span> on or across streets and <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> during periods of snow or ice or at the direction of any <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer</span> during an emergency; <a id="paragraph-245092" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Set fines for violations. Such fines may be in place of or in addition to the removal and storage of the <span class="dictionary">vehicle</span> and charges therefor, but no such fine shall exceed fifty dollars for each such <span class="dictionary">offense</span>. <a id="paragraph-245093" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-1302/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1962, c. 431, &#xA7; 46.1-180.2; 1980, c. 37; 1989, c. 727; 1997, c. 47.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
