2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-1300 - Powers of local authorities generally; erection of signs and markers; maximum penalties

46.2-1300. Powers of local authorities generally; erection of signs andmarkers; maximum penalties.

A. The governing bodies of counties, cities, and towns may adopt ordinancesnot in conflict with the provisions of this title to regulate the operationof vehicles on the highways in such counties, cities, and towns. They mayalso repeal, amend, or modify such ordinances and may erect appropriate signsor markers on the highway showing the general regulations applicable to theoperation of vehicles on such highways. The governing body of any county,city, or town may by ordinance, or may by ordinance authorize its chiefadministrative officer to:

1. Increase or decrease the speed limit within its boundaries, provided suchincrease or decrease in speed shall be based upon an engineering and trafficinvestigation by such county, city or town and provided such speed area orzone is clearly indicated by markers or signs;

2. Authorize the city or town manager or such officer thereof as it maydesignate, to reduce for a temporary period not to exceed sixty days, withoutsuch engineering and traffic investigation, the speed limit on any portion ofany highway of the city or town on which work is being done or where thehighway is under construction or repair;

3. Require vehicles to come to a full stop or yield the right-of-way at astreet intersection if one or more of the intersecting streets has beendesignated as a part of the state highway system in a town which has apopulation of less than 3,500.

B. No such ordinance shall be violated if at the time of the allegedviolation the sign or marker placed in conformity with this section ismissing, substantially defaced, or obscured so that an ordinarily observantperson under the same circumstances would not be aware of the existence ofthe ordinance.

C. No governing body of a county, city, or town may provide penalties forviolating a provision of an ordinance adopted pursuant to this section whichis greater than the penalty imposed for a similar offense under theprovisions of this title.

D. No county whose roads are under the jurisdiction of the Department ofTransportation shall designate, in terms of distance from a school, theplacement of flashing warning lights unless the authority to do so has beenexpressly delegated to such county by the Department of Transportation, inits discretion.

(Code 1950, 46-198, 46-200; 1956, c. 134; 1958, c. 541, 46.1-180; 1960,c. 172; 1972, c. 522; 1984, c. 345; 1989, c. 727.)