46.2-800.2 - Operation of off-road recreational vehicles in localities embraced by the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority.
§ 46.2-800.2. Operation of off-road recreational vehicles in localitiesembraced by the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority.
A. The governing body of any county, city, or town embraced by the SouthwestRegional Recreation Authority may by ordinance authorize the operation of anyoff-road recreational vehicles (i) on highways within its boundaries thathave a maximum speed limit of no more than 25 miles per hour and (ii) for adistance of no more than five miles on any highway within its boundaries thathas a maximum speed limit of more than 25 miles per hour. Any such ordinanceshall define "off-road recreational vehicle." Any such operation shall besubject to the following conditions, and such additional restrictions andlimitations as the county, city, or town by ordinance may impose:
1. Signs whose design, number, and location are approved by the VirginiaDepartment of Transportation shall have been posted by the county, city,town, or Southwest Regional Recreation Authority warning motorists thatoff-road recreational vehicles may be operating on the highway;
2. Such off-road recreational vehicles shall be operated only during daylighthours;
3. Off-road recreational vehicle operators shall, when operating on thehighway, obey all rules of the road applicable to other motor vehicles;
4. Riders of such off-road recreational vehicles shall wear helmets of a typeapproved by the Superintendent of State Police; and
5. Operators shall be licensed drivers or accompanied by a licensed driverwho is either occupying the same vehicle or occupying another vehicle withina prudent distance; however, no person shall operate any off-roadrecreational vehicle as provided in this section if his driver's license,whether issued in the Commonwealth or in another jurisdiction, has beensuspended or revoked.
B. The governing body of any county, city, or town that enacts any ordinanceunder subsection A shall notify in writing the Virginia State Police and alllaw-enforcement agencies within the county, city, or town of its action,together with a copy of such ordinance.
C. Operation of any off-road recreational vehicle as provided in theforegoing provisions of this section shall be subject to the issuance of apermit by the Southwest Regional Recreation Authority pursuant to §15.2-6020. Any such permit shall be valid for such period of time and subjectto the payment of such fee as the Authority shall provide.
(2010, cc. 332, 463.)