                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

REGULATION OF OPERATION OF VEHICLES IN SNOW, SLEET, ETC.; DESIGNATION OF PLAY
AREAS; PENALTIES (§ 46.2-1302)

The governing body of any county, city, or town may by ordinance regulate the
operation of vehicles on the highways 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 ordinance may:

1. Prohibit vehicles from parking or operating on designated highways;

2. Authorize the designation and posting of highways as snow routes and prohibit
any person to obstruct or impede traffic on a highway designated and posted as a
snow route through his failure to have the vehicle operated by him equipped with
snow tires or chains;

3. Prohibit the abandoning of vehicles on designated highways;

4. Authorize the removal of vehicles that are stalled, stuck, parked, or
abandoned on designated highways;

5. Authorize the storing of removed vehicles and the imposition of reasonable
charges for removal and storage;

6. Authorize the designation of certain highways, or portions thereof, as play
areas for sledding and similar recreational activities. No city or town shall be
liable in any civil action or proceeding for damages resulting from any injury
to the person or property of any person caused by an act or omission
constituting simple or ordinary negligence on the part of any officer or agent
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 damages for the gross or wanton
negligence of any of its officers or agents in the operation of any such play
area;

7. Authorize and regulate the operation of snowmobiles on or across streets and
highways during periods of snow or ice or at the direction of any
law-enforcement officer during an emergency;

8. Set fines for violations. Such fines may be in place of or in addition to the
removal and storage of the vehicle and charges therefor, but no such fine shall
exceed fifty dollars for each such offense.

HISTORY: 1962, c. 431, § 46.1-180.2; 1980, c. 37; 1989, c. 727; 1997, c. 47.