Virginia Law

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Bicycle lane" means that portion of a roadway designated by signs or pavement markings for the preferential use of bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards or scooters, and mopeds.

"Business district" means the territory contiguous to a highway where 75% or more of the property contiguous to a highway, on either side of the highway, for a distance of 300 feet or more along the highway, is occupied by land and buildings actually in use for business purposes.

"Clear zone" means the total border area of a roadway, including, if any, parking lanes or planting strips, that is sufficiently wide for an errant vehicle to avoid a serious accident. Details on the clear zone are in VDOT's Road Design Manual (see 24VAC30-151-760).

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Highways, the individual who serves as the chief executive officer of the Virginia Department of Transportation or his designee.

"Department" or "VDOT" means the Virginia Department of Transportation.

"Highway" means the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel in the Commonwealth, including the streets and alleys, and, for law-enforcement purposes, (i) the entire width between the boundary lines of all private roads or private streets that have been specifically designated "highways" by an ordinance adopted by the governing body of the county, city, or town in which such private roads or streets are located and (ii) the entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place used for purposes of vehicular travel on any property owned, leased, or controlled by the United States government and located in the Commonwealth.

"Parking" means halting a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than "stopping" or "standing," for an appreciable period of time.

"Primary highway" means any highway in or component of the primary state highway system as defined in § 33.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.

"Residence district" means the territory contiguous to a highway, not comprising a business district, where 75% or more of the property abutting such highway, on either side of the highway, for a distance of 300 feet or more along the highway consists of (i) land improved for dwelling purposes or is occupied by dwellings, (ii) land or buildings in use for business purposes, or (iii) territory zoned residential or territory in residential subdivisions created under Chapter 22 (§ 15.2-2200 et seq.) of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia.

"Secondary highway" means any highway in or component of the secondary state highway system as defined in § 33.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.

"Shared-use path" means a bikeway that is physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and is located either within the highway right-of-way or within a separate right-of-way. Shared-use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, users of wheel chairs or wheel chair conveyances, joggers, and other nonmotorized users and personal delivery devices.

"Shoulder" means that part of a highway between the portion regularly traveled by vehicular traffic and the lateral curbline or ditch.

"Standing" means the halting of a vehicle, while still occupying the vehicle, for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.

"Stopping" means the momentary halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device.

"Travel lane" means that portion of a roadway designed or designated to accommodate the forward movement of a single line of vehicles.

"Vehicle" means every device in, on, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn on a highway, except personal delivery devices and devices moved by human power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks.