Numerous reasons require drivers to pull over on the side of the road. When car trouble, a medical emergency, or car accident occurs, getting out of the way of traffic is crucial.
At Curcio Law, our Virginia pedestrian and car accident attorneys have seen firsthand how minor stops can escalate quickly, leading to serious injuries for drivers and passengers. When you don’t know how to pull over safely, it increases the risk of secondary collisions. In addition, there are significant risks of pedestrian accidents in Virginia when fixing something like a flat tire or standing on the side of the road.
All drivers should know what to do if they need to pull over and what to do to avoid dangers to protect themselves and others. There are also road laws in Virginia that apply to several situations that lead drivers to pull over on the side of the road, which are explained later in this post.
Safety Tips for Pulling Over in Virginia
There are many tips for pulling over on the side of the road safely, but there are certain steps that should be taken before you start driving, like making sure you have an emergency kit. It should contain a flashlight, batteries, a blanket, a reflective vest, and jumper cables, among other helpful items. These can be invaluable when you need to pull over, especially when there’s low visibility, on busy roads, and during inclement weather.
Beyond being prepared with a kit, the following safe practices for pulling over on the side of the road in Virginia can help protect yourself and others during emergencies, mechanical breakdowns, or car accidents.
- Use your signals to indicate you’re pulling over – it’s the law.
- Pull over as far as possible to the right. The further from moving traffic, the better.
- Put your car in park and turn on your hazard lights.
- Stay aware of your surroundings and note your location.
- If safe to do so, after you are pulled over, exit your car on the side furthest from traffic and move away from the road.
- If unable to pull over or you’ve suffered car accident injuries, stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt on. Secondary collisions are common, and standing amongst moving traffic can cause catastrophic injuries.
- Avoid stopping on a busy shoulder. If it’s not an immediate emergency or car accident, and your car is drivable, go to a quieter street or pull off the highway before stopping.
- After an accident, you must stay on the scene. But if there are no injuries and you can move your car out of traffic, pull over to the side of the road.
- Use your emergency kit. If it’s nighttime, visibility is even lower; use reflective items, flashlights, and flares (if necessary), and keep your headlights on. If you don’t have a kit, make sure your hazard lights are on, and hang something out your window if you need help.
- Get the help yourself and others need. If injuries, death, or property damage over $1,500 has occurred, or you’re unable to move your car from traffic, call the police. In cases of mechanical breakdown, call roadside assistance.
Many people know how to change their own tire, but on a busy highway, standing on the side of the road to fix your car puts you in great danger. Ideally, contact roadside assistance to do the work; they have more lights and equipment to alert other drivers of your stopped vehicle.
Virginia Laws for Pulling Over and Passing Cars on the Shoulder
Understanding the laws for pulling over in Virginia is important. While there is no single “pulling over” law, there are multiple sections in the Virginia Code that address what drivers need to do in situations that involve stopping, standing, or parking on roads and highways.
Stopping on a Highway (Virginia Code §46.2-888)
As a driver, you cannot stop on a highway in a way that endangers others or obstructs traffic. The exception is during an emergency, car accident, or mechanical breakdown. Turn on your hazard lights to alert others so they can avoid collisions, but if it’s possible and safe to do so, pull over to the side of the road.
Virginia’s Move Over Law (Virginia Code §46.2-861.1)
The “move over” law in Virginia states that, if possible and safe to do so, you must move over a lane from a car stopped on the shoulder. This applies not only to vehicles with yellow, blue, or red flashing lights; a few years ago, the law expanded to protect others stopped on the side of the road, including personal vehicles that have their hazard lights engaged. If moving out of the adjacent lane isn’t possible, slow down and proceed with caution.
After an Accident (Virginia Code §46.2-894)
When you’re in a Virginia car accident, the shock of what’s happened can overwhelm drivers. But the law states that when an accident involving injury, death, or property damage occurs, you must stop close to the scene without blocking traffic. Your name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number must be shared with the other driver. If they’re too injured, provide the information to the police or an occupant in the car you collided with. You must also offer assistance to those in need when possible.
Using Signals (Virginia Code §46.2-848)
Virginia drivers must use their signals when turning, backing up, or stopping. If moving your vehicle to the side of the road is necessary, make sure to use your turn signals so that other drivers know your movements and intentions.
Regardless of how much people prepare, hundreds of Americans die each year when they’re on the side of the road. If you’re involved in a car or pedestrian accident when on the side of a road in Virginia, Curcio Law can help. Contact us online or call/text us at 703-836-3366.
