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DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense

• Info for drivers facing a drunk driving charge in VA Beach or Norfolk
• Government Estimates Millions Drive While Drunk in U.S. Each Year
• Changes to "Move Over" law effective July 1, 2010
• National "Click It or Ticket" campaign begins today
• Special license plates for convicted DUI offenders?

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Firm News

Manslaughter charges for three DUI related Norfolk car crash deaths?
Posted on 8/26/2010

Virginia Beach driver accused of DUI deaths in crash pleads guilty
Posted on 8/25/2010

Former Virginia Beach deputy sentenced in DUI crash case
Posted on 6/27/2010

Shore Drive speed limit lowered to 35
Posted on 6/4/2010

Child Abuse Charges for Virginia Beach DUI Driver with Kids in Car
Posted on 5/31/2010

DUI Conviction for Former Virginia Beach Police Officer
Posted on 5/28/2010

Felony charges for "sexting" Franklin teens
Posted on 5/20/2010

Are alcoholic energy drinks to blame for Virginia Beach DUI death?
Posted on 4/30/2010

Virginia Beach city employee charged with DUI after hit-and-run crash
Posted on 4/30/2010

Bond revoked for man accused in Virginia Beach DUI hit-and-run
Posted on 4/26/2010

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Firm Library

DUI, Traffic and Criminal Law Defense

• Can the Virginia bar or restaurant where you were drinking be held responsible for your DUI?
• What to expect after a Virginia DUI arrest
• Virginia DUI Attorney: Why you need to FIGHT HARD against DUI charges
• The high stakes of a DUI conviction in Virginia
• Virginia's Move Over/Slow Down law regarding emergency vehicles

More Info

Virginia's Move Over/Slow Down law regarding emergency vehicles

Virginia has a little-known traffic law referred to as the "move over" law. Under this law, when there is an emergency vehicle stopped with its lights flashing you are required to either change lanes (on a four lane highway) or slow down (on a two lane highway). Failure to do so may result in reckless driving charges. This law is intended to keep emergency personal safe when they are attending to an emergency situation, but most Virginians are unaware of its existence.

Section 46.2-921.1 of the Code of Virginia

§ 46.2-921.1. Drivers to yield right-of-way or reduce speed when approaching stationary emergency vehicles on highways; penalties.

The driver of any motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-920, that is displaying a flashing, blinking, or alternating emergency light or lights as provided in §§ 46.2-1022, 46.2-1023, and 46.2-1024, 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 that occupied by the stationary emergency vehicle or (ii) if changing lanes would be unreasonable or unsafe, proceed with due caution and maintain a safe speed for highway conditions.

Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a Class 1 misdemeanor. 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 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. If the violation resulted in the death of 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 two years.

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