Safety officials in Virginia are urging drivers to stay alert and follow updated traffic safety laws as more than one million Virginians are expected to travel by car over the Memorial Day weekend, according to a May 21 announcement.
The increase in travel raises concerns about roadway safety, prompting reminders about laws such as the hands-free phone law, which bans the use of hand-held devices while driving. The Department of Motor Vehicles assigns three demerit points for violations and fines start at $125. Officials also point to ongoing seatbelt enforcement efforts through the Click It or Ticket campaign. Drive Smart Virginia partners with the DMV each May to promote this initiative.
“The Click It or Ticket message reminds everyone to wear their seatbelt or face getting a ticket,” said David Tenembaum, Drive Smart board treasurer and senior actuarial manager at Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. “Additionally, Drive Smart’s social-norming campaign Love Clicks reminds Virginians of the law—all vehicle occupants must wear their seat belt.”
Motorists are also reminded of changes made in 2023 to Virginia’s Move Over law. Drivers must change lanes when possible or slow down for any roadside vehicle displaying amber lights, hazard lights, triangles, or flares—including utility and tow trucks—on highways with at least four lanes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will suspend many highway work zones and lift temporary lane closures from noon on Friday, May 22 until noon on Tuesday, May 26. However, some semi-permanent work zones may remain active during this period. For up-to-date travel alerts statewide, VDOT encourages checking its Travel Advisories page.
VDOT’s free mobile 511 app provides hands-free access to information about construction zones, traffic incidents and congestion along summer routes. The app also includes features such as weather updates and electric vehicle charging station locations; similar information is available online at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.
A special travel trends map for Memorial Day is available on VDOT’s website under “Holiday Travel,” showing periods when congestion has historically been highest on state interstates during past holidays.
