2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-111 - Flares and other signals relating to stopped commercial motor vehicles

46.2-111. Flares and other signals relating to stopped commercial motorvehicles.

A. Whenever any commercial motor vehicle as defined in 46.2-341.4 isstopped on any roadway or on the shoulder of any highway in the Commonwealthat any time for any cause other than stops necessary to comply with trafficcontrol devices, lawfully installed signs, or signals of law-enforcementofficers, the operator of such vehicle shall immediately activate thevehicular hazard warning signal flashers and as soon as possible, but in anyevent within 10 minutes of stopping, place or cause to be placed on theroadway or shoulder three red reflectorized triangular warning devices of atype approved by the Superintendent. One of the red reflectorized triangularwarning devices shall be placed in the center of the lane of traffic orshoulder occupied by the stopped vehicle and not less than 100 feet therefromin the direction of traffic approaching in that lane, a second not less than100 feet from such vehicle in the opposite direction and a third at thetraffic side of such vehicle not closer than 10 feet from its front or rear.However, if such vehicle is stopped within 500 feet of a curve or crest of ahill, or other obstruction to view, the red reflectorized triangular warningdevices in that direction shall be so placed as to afford ample warning toother users of the highway, but in no case less than 500 feet from thestopped vehicle. Vehicular hazard warning signal flashers shall continue toflash until the operator has placed the three red reflectorized triangularwarning devices required in this subsection. The placement of redreflectorized triangular warning devices is not required within the corporatelimits of cities unless, during the time which lights are required to beilluminated on motor vehicles by 46.2-1030, the street or highway lightingis insufficient to make such vehicle clearly discernable at a distance of 500feet to a person on the highway. Flares or torches of a type approved by theSuperintendent may be used in lieu of red reflectorized warning devices. Inthe event that the operator of the stopped vehicle elects to use flares ortorches in lieu of red reflectorized triangular warning devices, the operatorshall ensure that at least one flare or torch remains lighted at each of theprescribed locations as long as the vehicle is stopped. If gasoline or anyother flammable liquid or combustible liquid or gas seeps or leaks from afuel container or a commercial motor vehicle stopped upon a highway, noemergency warning signal producing a flame shall be lighted or placed exceptat such a distance from any such liquid or gas as will ensure the preventionof a fire or explosion.

The exception provided in this subsection with respect to highways within thecorporate limits of cities shall not apply to any portion of any interstatehighway within the corporate limits of any city. The provisions of thissection shall not apply to any vehicle in a work zone protected by flagmen orapproved temporary traffic control channeling devices, as required by theVirginia Work Area Protection Manual or to any vehicle displaying a flashingamber light authorized by 46.2-1025 when such vehicle is (i) used for theprincipal purpose of towing or servicing disabled vehicles, or (ii) engagedin road or utility construction or maintenance.

B. If any such vehicle is used for the transportation of flammable liquids inbulk, whether loaded or empty, or for transporting inflammable gases, redreflectorized triangular warning devices or red electric lanterns of a typeapproved by the Superintendent of State Police shall be used. Such reflectorsor lanterns shall be lighted and placed on the roadway in the manner providedin subsection A of this section.

C. [Repealed.]

(Code 1950, 46-260, 46-261, 46-262; 1950, p. 698; 1956, c. 56; 1958, c.541, 46.1-255 to 46.1-257; 1960, c. 156; 1966, c. 122; 1968, c. 155; 1970,c. 190; 1989, c. 727; 1999, c. 77; 2003, c. 971.)