CODE OF VIRGINIA

FLARES AND OTHER SIGNALS RELATING TO STOPPED COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES (§
46.2-111)

A. Whenever any commercial motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-341.4 is stopped
on any roadway or on the shoulder of any highway in the Commonwealth at any time
for any cause other than stops necessary to comply with traffic control devices,
lawfully installed signs, or signals of law-enforcement officers, the operator
of such vehicle shall immediately activate the vehicular hazard warning signal
flashers and as soon as possible, but in any event within 10 minutes of
stopping, place or cause to be placed on the roadway or shoulder three red
reflectorized triangular warning devices of a type approved by the
Superintendent. One of the red reflectorized triangular warning devices shall be
placed in the center of the lane of traffic or shoulder occupied by the stopped
vehicle and not less than 100 feet therefrom in the direction of traffic
approaching in that lane, a second not less than 100 feet from such vehicle in
the opposite direction and a third at the traffic side of such vehicle not
closer than 10 feet from its front or rear. However, if such vehicle is stopped
within 500 feet of a curve or crest of a hill, or other obstruction to view, the
red reflectorized triangular warning devices in that direction shall be so
placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case
less than 500 feet from the stopped vehicle. Vehicular hazard warning signal
flashers shall continue to flash until the operator has placed the three red
reflectorized triangular warning devices required in this subsection. The
placement of red reflectorized triangular warning devices is not required within
the corporate limits of cities unless, during the time which lights are required
to be illuminated on motor vehicles by § 46.2-1030, the street or highway
lighting is insufficient to make such vehicle clearly discernable at a distance
of 500 feet to a person on the highway. Flares or torches of a type approved by
the Superintendent may be used in lieu of red reflectorized warning devices. In
the event that the operator of the stopped vehicle elects to use flares or
torches in lieu of red reflectorized triangular warning devices, the operator
shall ensure that at least one flare or torch remains lighted at each of the
prescribed locations as long as the vehicle is stopped. If gasoline or any other
flammable liquid or combustible liquid or gas seeps or leaks from a fuel
container or a commercial motor vehicle stopped upon a highway, no emergency
warning signal producing a flame shall be lighted or placed except at such a
distance from any such liquid or gas as will ensure the prevention of a fire or
explosion.The exception provided in this subsection with respect to highways
within the corporate limits of cities shall not apply to any portion of any
interstate highway within the corporate limits of any city. The provisions of
this section shall not apply to any vehicle in a work zone protected by flagmen
or approved temporary traffic control channeling devices, as required by the
Virginia Work Area Protection Manual or to any vehicle displaying a flashing
amber light authorized by § 46.2-1025 when such vehicle is (i) used for the
principal purpose of towing or servicing disabled vehicles, or (ii) engaged in
road or utility construction or maintenance.

B. If any such vehicle is used for the transportation of flammable liquids in
bulk, whether loaded or empty, or for transporting inflammable gases, red
reflectorized triangular warning devices or red electric lanterns of a type
approved by the Superintendent of State Police shall be used. Such reflectors or
lanterns shall be lighted and placed on the roadway in the manner provided in
subsection A of this section.

C. [Repealed.]

HISTORY: Code 1950, §§ 46-260, 46-261, 46-262; 1950, p. 698; 1956, c. 56;
1958, c. 541, §§ 46.1-255 to 46.1-257; 1960, c. 156; 1966, c. 122; 1968, c.
155; 1970, c. 190; 1989, c. 727; 1999, c. 77; 2003, c. 971.