Traffic Safety Information

Make Safe Choices - Ride Defensively

• Do not wear headphones while riding.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars, except when signaling.
• Keep both feet on pedals.
• In a group, ride single-file with the flow of traffic.
• Wear a brightly colored helmet and retro-reflective material on your clothing.
• Use the correct hand signals.
• Before entering a roadway: Stop. Look left. Look right. Look left.
• Avoid riding at twilight or in the dark, especially on narrow roads and roads with speed limits that exceed 35 mph.

Secure Young Passengers

• The Prince William County Police Department wishes to help parents and other caregivers clearly understand Virginia's child passenger safety laws so that they can safely and legally transport children.

 Be Visible

• Make sure you’re visible to drivers at all times and make eye contact with them whenever possible. This is especially important at night, in low-light conditions such as dusk or dawn,  or in inclement weather. 
• Wear lightly colored or reflective clothing at night and brightly colored clothing during the day.
• Stay in well-lit areas, especially when crossing the street.
• If possible, make eye contact with drivers in stopped vehicles to ensure they see you before you cross in front of them.

Stay Alert – Avoid Distractions

• Distractions are everywhere and are more difficult to avoid. As a pedestrian, your eyes and ears are your best tools for keeping safe. Stay alert and watch out.
• Put down your phone. Smartphones and handheld electronic devices are a daily part of life, but they take your eyes off of the road and distract your attention.
• Don’t wear headphones. Your ears will tell you a lot about what is happening around you – be sure to use them.

Follow the Rules

• Know and follow all traffic rules, signs and signals. You need to be aware of the rules vehicles around you must follow to properly anticipate what drivers will do. This will help increase your safety.
• Never assume a driver will give you the right of way. Make every effort to make eye contact with the driver of a stopped or approaching vehicle before entering the roadway.

Walk in Safe Places

• Use crosswalks when crossing the street. If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find the most well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.
• Stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, be sure to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to drivers.
• Avoid walking along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited.

Avoid Drinking Alcohol

• Oftentimes traffic crashes resulting in pedestrian deaths involve alcohol consumption. Alcohol impairs your decision-making skills, physical reflexes and other abilities just as much on your feet as it does behind the wheel.

Be Alert

• Look out for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists at all times. When you are operating a vehicle, you have accepted a heightened responsibility for other people on the road. 
• Safety is a two-way street. Often, pedestrians— especially younger ones— are not where they should be or where you would expect them to be. Remain vigilant at all times.
• Follow posted speed limits at all times, especially in areas of heavy pedestrian traffic. This is even more important in areas that have lower speed limits, such as school zones and neighborhood streets where pedestrians may appear suddenly.
• Overall visibility is limited in bad weather conditions and poorly lit areas. Not only is it more difficult for drivers to see oncoming pedestrians, it also is harder for pedestrians to see you. Make sure your lights are on and you use your signals properly. Use extra caution in these circumstances.
• Be mindful of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists  when pulling into and out of driveways – especially if you are backing up. People traveling in these ways can easily enter your path without your knowledge.

Crosswalks

• Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
• When approaching a crosswalk, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop.
• When you are stopped at a crosswalk, allow enough room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so other drivers can see the pedestrians you have stopped for.
• Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They have stopped to allow pedestrians to pass or make sure the way is clear.

Do Not Drive Under the Influence

• Alcohol and drugs impair your reaction time, reflexes, decision-making skills and overall cognitive functions. Getting behind the wheel while impaired puts everyone in danger.

Off-Road Motorcycle: "Off-road motorcycle" means every motorcycle designed exclusively for off-road use by an individual rider with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground. Off-road motorcycles shall be deemed to be "motorcycles."

Motorcycle: "Motorcycle" means every motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is capable of traveling at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. "Motorcycle" does not include any "autocycle," "electric personal assistive mobility device," "electric power-assisted bicycle," "farm tractor," "golf cart," "moped," "motorized skateboard or scooter," "utility vehicle," or "wheelchair or wheelchair conveyance".

Moped: "Moped" means every vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground that: 

• has a seat that is no less than 24 inches in height, measured from the middle of the seat perpendicular to the ground; 
• has a gasoline, electric, or hybrid motor that (a) displaces 50 cubic centimeters or less or (b) has an input of 1500 watts or less; 
• is power-driven, with or without pedals that allow propulsion by human power; and 
• is not operated at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. "Moped" does not include an electric power-assisted bicycle, a motorized skateboard, or a scooter. A moped shall be a motorcycle when operated at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. A moped is considerd a vehicle while being operated on a highway. 

Use of Electronic Conveyances on Park Trails

Commonwealth of Virginia law allows the use of electric powered bicycles (e-bikes), skateboards, scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, e-scooters, electric personal assistive mobility devices” (such as Segway’s and wheelchairs), and electric personal delivery devices, wherever regular bicycles are allowed. Virginia Code sections §10.1, §15.2, and §46.2 regulate e-bikes, motorized skateboards, motorized scooters, and hoverboards with a top powered speed of 20 mph; electric personal assistive mobility devices with a top speed of 15 mph, and electric personal delivery devices with a top speed of 10 mph as bicycles that can be used on trails and shared use paths.

Furthermore, Virginia Code §15.2-5704(17) grants the Park Authority the ability to adopt rules and regulations concerning the use of properties under its control, only if those rules and regulations are not in conflict with the laws of the Commonwealth.

Wear Appropriate Gear

• Operators and passengers should always wear a helmet with a face shield or protective eye wear.
• Wearing a helmet is the best way to protect against severe head injuries. A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is five times more likely to sustain a critical head injury.
• Make sure to wear protective gear and clothing that will minimize the amount of injuries in case of an accident or a skid. Wearing leather clothing, boots with nonskid soles, and gloves can protect your body from severe injuries. Consider attaching reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

Follow Traffic Rules

• Obey the speed limit; the faster you go the longer it will take you to stop. Be aware of local traffic laws and rules of the road.
• Valid license plates and an operator's (driver's) license may be required by law.

Ride Defensively

• Don't assume that a driver can see you, as nearly two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents are caused by a driver violating a rider's right of way. 
• You should always ride with your headlights on; stay out of a driver's blind spot; signal well in advance of any change in direction; and watch for turning vehicles.
• Keep your riding skills honed through education.
• Complete a formal riding education program, get licensed and take riding courses from time to time to develop riding techniques and to sharpen your street-riding strategies.

Be Alert and Ride Sober

• Don't drink and ride, you could cause harm to yourself and others.
• Fatigue and drowsiness can impair your ability to react, so make sure that you are well rested when you hit the road.

E-Bike: "Electric power-assisted bicycle" means a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is equipped with (i) pedals that allow propulsion by human power, (ii) a seat for the use of the rider, and (iii) an electric motor with an input of no more than 750 watts. Electric power-assisted bicycles shall be classified as follows:

1. "Class one" means an electric power-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour;
2. "Class two" means an electric power-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; and
3. "Class three" means an electric power-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. An electric power-assisted bicycle shall be a vehicle when operated on a highway. All class three electric power-assisted bicycles shall be equipped with a speedometer that displays the speed the bicycle is traveling in miles per hour.

E-Bikes are legal for highway and sidewalk use just as a normal bicycle (unless otherwise posted 46.2-903, 46.2-905). 

If operated on the highway:   

• The operator must ride to the right with the flow of traffic unless turning left (46.2-905). 
• The operator must obey all markings, highway signs, traffic lights, stop signs, and all other traffic laws (46.2-800, 46.2-804, 46.2-821, 46.2-833). 
• Riders under the age of 15 are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet. Any parent, legal guardian, or other legal custodian who allows his or her 14-year-old or younger child to ride an E-Bike without an approved helmet is in violation of this code as well. (PWC Code 13-379).

Some high-powered "E-Bikes" can be considered mopeds due to their power output. If the E-Bike has a watt input greater than 750 watts and up to 1500 watts, it is no longer an E-Bike and can be considered a moped. If a moped exceeds 35 MPH, it is considered a motorcycle, and all motorcycles require the following:

• Driver's License with M-Class Endorsement (46.2-300, 46.2-328)
• Registration (46.2-600)
• Insurance (46.2-707)
• VA Safety Inspection (46.2-1157)
• Approved motorcycle helmet with eye protection (46.2-910)
• Equipped with Highlight, Horn, Mirrors (46.2-912)

Use of Electronic Conveyances on Park Trails

Commonwealth of Virginia law allows the use of electric powered bicycles (e-bikes), skateboards, scooters, e-skateboards, hoverboards, e-scooters, electric personal assistive mobility devices” (such as Segway’s and wheelchairs), and electric personal delivery devices, wherever regular bicycles are allowed. Virginia Code sections §10.1, §15.2, and §46.2 regulate e-bikes, motorized skateboards, motorized scooters, and hoverboards with a top powered speed of 20 mph; electric personal assistive mobility devices with a top speed of 15 mph, and electric personal delivery devices with a top speed of 10 mph as bicycles that can be used on trails and shared use paths.

Furthermore, Virginia Code §15.2-5704(17) grants the Park Authority the ability to adopt rules and regulations concerning the use of properties under its control, only if those rules and regulations are not in conflict with the laws of the Commonwealth.