Title 46.2. MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 13. Powers of Local Governments

Current through 2006 Legislative Session

§ 46.2-1309. Officers may direct traffic; signals.

Law-enforcement officers and uniformed school crossing guards may direct traffic by signals. Such signals other than by voice shall be as follows:

1. To stop traffic by hand. – Stand with shoulders parallel to moving traffic. Raise arms forty-five degrees above shoulder with hand extended, palm towards moving traffic to be stopped.

2. To move traffic by hand. – Stand with shoulders parallel to traffic to be moved. Extend right arm and hand full length at height of shoulders towards such traffic, fingers extended and joined, palm down. Bring hand sharply in direction traffic is to move. Repeat movement with left arm and hand to start traffic from opposite direction.

3. To stop and start traffic by whistle. – One blast, moving traffic to stop; two blasts, traffic in opposite direction to move.

4. Emergency stop of traffic by whistle. – Three or more short blasts, all traffic shall immediately clear the intersection and stop.

Such law-enforcement officers and uniformed school crossing guards may also use supplemental traffic direction devices, including but not limited to hand-held stop or go signs, in directing traffic as provided in this section.

History. (Code 1950, § § 46-201, 46-202; 1954, c. 380; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-183; 1966, c. 607; 1989, c. 727; 1995, c. 473.)
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Title 46.2. MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 13. Powers of Local Governments

Current through 2006 Legislative Session

§ 46.2-1310. Authority to deputize persons to direct traffic in certain circumstances.

The chief of police of any county, city, or town, or the sheriff of any county which does not have a chief of police, may deputize persons over the age of eighteen years for the limited purpose of directing traffic in accordance with § 46.2-1309 during periods of heavy traffic or congestion. Such persons shall first receive training as the chief of police or sheriff determines necessary to fully acquaint such persons with the techniques of traffic control. They shall not have arrest powers.

Any person who is deputized as provided in the foregoing provisions of this section, shall at all times while engaged in traffic control wear a distinctive uniform, safety vest, or a white reflectorized belt which crosses both the chest and back above the waist.

Let me know how it goes.

D-

The Albemarle County Police Department says that it is illegal for anyone other than a uniformed police officer to direct traffic.

[...]

Surely it would be more cost-effective to place an officer there as a crossing guard, instead of providing buses to the hundred or so kids that live close enough to walk to school.

Generally I would think it would be more expensive for a cop to do the job. But that could be what this is about. If the next thing that happens is that off duty cops are recruited to do this job- and get paid extra for it- well then we will know for sure that’s what this is about.

If someone has to direct traffic in Boston (construction flag man, etc.)- it’s gotta be an off duty cop and since he’s off duty you have to pay extra (double or triple time). Up there it’s a legal shakedown.

We have been told that we need to contact Rob Bell to get anything done about this. The thought of dealing with politicians and the state legislature over something like this is a bit ridiculous – but this entire thing is ridiculous.

We will be with you on Monday morning – dressed in our finest traffic stopping attire. I’ll take my chances on the ticket (or more).