Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed into law for speed limits to be reduced for pedestrians

Speed limitPhoto byJoshua HoehneonUnsplash

WRIC 8 News reported that Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed HB 1071 into law which will allow localities to reduce speed limits on certain Virginia roads to keep pedestrians safe.

About the new law

The new law reducing the speed limit to less than 25 miles per hour but not less than 15 miles per hour becomes effective on July 1, 2024. Part of the law requires localities to post signs indicating the change in the speed limit as necessary on state-owned highways that pass through residential and commercial areas.

Delegate Betsy Carr (D-Richmond) told 8News:

“There is a national epidemic of pedestrian fatalities due to speeding. Previously, only the state could authorize a speed limit reduction. In places like Richmond, a lot of our streets may be local, but something like Cary Street and Main [Street] are actually state routes."

People crossing the streetPhoto byJacek DylagonUnsplash

Morgan Dean with AAA said:

"Speed is a factor in almost half of the traffic-related fatalities in Virginia and, oftentimes, people don’t realize how devastating speed can be — especially if they hit a pedestrian."

Dean added:

“So, it can be very very dangerous for a pedestrian who is doing everything right and is crossing at a light when a driver is moving too fast and isn’t paying attention, strikes that person.”