{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-881.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-881.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-881.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-881.html"}],"law_id":366319,"edition_id":2,"section_id":366319,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-881","catch_line":"Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-215; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-196; 1966, c. 85; 1977, c. 259; 1989, c. 727; 2006, c. 139.","full_text":"It shall be unlawful to drive any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, or in any tunnel, or on any interstate at a speed exceeding that indicated as a maximum by signs posted thereon or at its approach by or on the authority of the Commissioner of Highways.\n\nThe Commissioner of Highways, on request or on his own initiative, may conduct an investigation of any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, tunnel, or interstate and, on the basis of his findings, may set the maximum speed of vehicles which such structure or roadway can withstand or which is necessitated in consideration of the benefit and safety of the traveling public and the safety of the structure or roadway. The Commissioner of Highways is expressly authorized to establish and indicate variable speed limits on such structures or roadways to be effective under such conditions as would in his judgment, warrant such variable limits, including but not limited to darkness, traffic conditions, atmospheric conditions, weather, emergencies, and like conditions which may affect driving safety. Any speed limits, whether fixed or variable, shall be prominently posted in such proximity to such structure or roadway as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Highways. The findings of the Commissioner shall be conclusive evidence of the maximum safe speed which can be maintained on such structure or roadway.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1364254,"text":"It shall be unlawful to drive any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, or in any tunnel, or on any interstate at a speed exceeding that indicated as a maximum by signs posted thereon or at its approach by or on the authority of the Commissioner of Highways.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1364255,"text":"The Commissioner of Highways, on request or on his own initiative, may conduct an investigation of any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, tunnel, or interstate and, on the basis of his findings, may set the maximum speed of vehicles which such structure or roadway can withstand or which is necessitated in consideration of the benefit and safety of the traveling public and the safety of the structure or roadway. The Commissioner of Highways is expressly authorized to establish and indicate variable speed limits on such structures or roadways to be effective under such conditions as would in his judgment, warrant such variable limits, including but not limited to darkness, traffic conditions, atmospheric conditions, weather, emergencies, and like conditions which may affect driving safety. Any speed limits, whether fixed or variable, shall be prominently posted in such proximity to such structure or roadway as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Highways. The findings of the Commissioner shall be conclusive evidence of the maximum safe speed which can be maintained on such structure or roadway.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":52193,"edition_id":2,"name":"Speed","identifier":"8","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":9,"parent_id":52184,"metadata":{"child_laws":21,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:49","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:09","permalink":{"id":1457963,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52193,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52184,"edition_id":2,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52051,"metadata":{"child_laws":208,"child_structures":21},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457191,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52184,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52051,"edition_id":2,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":589,"child_structures":55},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:07","permalink":{"id":1455599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52051,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":366302,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-870","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits generally","url":"\/46.2-870\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-870","metadata":false},{"id":366303,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-871","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for school buses","url":"\/46.2-871\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-871","metadata":false},{"id":366304,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-872","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits for vehicles operating under special permits","url":"\/46.2-872\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-872","metadata":false},{"id":366307,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits at school crossings; penalty","url":"\/46.2-873\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873","metadata":false},{"id":366305,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on nonsurface-treated highways","url":"\/46.2-873.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.1","metadata":false},{"id":366306,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-873.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on rural rustic roads","url":"\/46.2-873.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-873.2","metadata":false},{"id":366309,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-874","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit in business and residence districts","url":"\/46.2-874\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-874","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"John J. Bahen, Jr. v. County of Henrico","case_number":"0500982","citation":"30 Va. App. 227","date":"1999-07-06","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1066255\/john-j-bahen-jr-v-county-of-henrico\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. BENTON, Judge. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"COA<\/abbr>"},"1":{"name":"Cromartie v. Billings","case_number":"180851","citation":null,"date":"2020-01-16","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/4696250\/cromartie-v-billings\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Present: All the Justices .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":366308,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-874.1","catch_line":"Authority to increase penalties in residence districts","url":"\/46.2-874.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-874.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":366310,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-875","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit on certain other highways in cities and towns","url":"\/46.2-875\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-875","metadata":false},{"id":366311,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-876","catch_line":"Maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles towing certain trailers","url":"\/46.2-876\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-876","metadata":false},{"id":366312,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-877","catch_line":"Minimum speed limits","url":"\/46.2-877\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-877","metadata":false},{"id":366317,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878","catch_line":"Authority to change speed limits","url":"\/46.2-878\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878","metadata":false},{"id":366313,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in highway work zones; penalty","url":"\/46.2-878.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.1","metadata":false},{"id":366314,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.2","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits in certain residence districts of counties, cities, and towns; penalty","url":"\/46.2-878.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.2","metadata":false},{"id":366315,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.2:1","catch_line":"Maximum speed limits on certain roads","url":"\/46.2-878.2_1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.2_1","metadata":false},{"id":366316,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-878.3","catch_line":"Prepayment of fines for violations of speed limits","url":"\/46.2-878.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-878.3","metadata":false},{"id":366318,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-879","catch_line":"No conviction for speeding in certain areas unless markers installed","url":"\/46.2-879\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-879","metadata":false},{"id":366319,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-881","catch_line":"Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates","url":"\/46.2-881\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-881","metadata":false},{"id":366321,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-882","catch_line":"Determining speed with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of device; arrest without warrant","url":"\/46.2-882\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882","metadata":false},{"id":366320,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-882.1","catch_line":"Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones, school crossing zones, and high-risk intersection segments; civil penalty","url":"\/46.2-882.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882.1","metadata":false},{"id":366322,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-883","catch_line":"Signs indicating legal rate of speed and measurement of speed by radar","url":"\/46.2-883\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-883","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":366318,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-879","catch_line":"No conviction for speeding in certain areas unless markers installed","url":"\/46.2-879\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-879","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":366321,"structure_id":52193,"section_number":"46.2-882","catch_line":"Determining speed with various devices; certificate as to accuracy of device; arrest without warrant","url":"\/46.2-882\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-882","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-881\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1966, chapter 85; in 1977, chapter 259; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2006, chapter 139<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1458033,"object_type":"law","relational_id":366319,"identifier":"46.2-881","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-881","url":"\/46.2-881\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-881\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/8\/46.2-881","dublin_core":{"Title":"Special speed limitation on bridges, tunnels and interstates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-881","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

It shall be unlawful to drive any motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> on any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, or in any tunnel, or on any interstate at a speed exceeding that indicated as a maximum by signs posted thereon or at its approach by or on the authority of the Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span>.<\/p>

The Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span>, on request or on his own initiative, may conduct an investigation of any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, tunnel, or interstate and, on the basis of his findings<\/span>, may set the maximum speed of vehicles<\/span> which such structure or roadway<\/span> can withstand or which is necessitated in consideration of the benefit and safety of the traveling public and the safety of the structure or roadway<\/span>. The Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span> is expressly authorized to establish and indicate variable speed limits on such structures or roadways<\/span> to be effective under such conditions as would in his judgment<\/span>, warrant such variable limits, including but not limited to darkness, traffic conditions, atmospheric conditions, weather, emergencies, and like conditions which may affect driving safety. Any speed limits, whether fixed or variable, shall be prominently posted in such proximity to such structure or roadway<\/span> as deemed appropriate by the Commissioner<\/span> of Highways<\/span>. The findings<\/span> of the Commissioner<\/span> shall be conclusive evidence<\/span> of the maximum safe speed which can be maintained on such structure or roadway<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSPECIAL SPEED LIMITATION ON BRIDGES, TUNNELS AND INTERSTATES (\u00a7 46.2-881)\n\nIt shall be unlawful to drive any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer on any\npublic bridge, causeway, viaduct, or in any tunnel, or on any interstate at a\nspeed exceeding that indicated as a maximum by signs posted thereon or at its\napproach by or on the authority of the Commissioner of Highways.\n\nThe Commissioner of Highways, on request or on his own initiative, may conduct\nan investigation of any public bridge, causeway, viaduct, tunnel, or interstate\nand, on the basis of his findings, may set the maximum speed of vehicles which\nsuch structure or roadway can withstand or which is necessitated in\nconsideration of the benefit and safety of the traveling public and the safety\nof the structure or roadway. The Commissioner of Highways is expressly\nauthorized to establish and indicate variable speed limits on such structures or\nroadways to be effective under such conditions as would in his judgment, warrant\nsuch variable limits, including but not limited to darkness, traffic conditions,\natmospheric conditions, weather, emergencies, and like conditions which may\naffect driving safety. Any speed limits, whether fixed or variable, shall be\nprominently posted in such proximity to such structure or roadway as deemed\nappropriate by the Commissioner of Highways. The findings of the Commissioner\nshall be conclusive evidence of the maximum safe speed which can be maintained\non such structure or roadway.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-215; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-196; 1966, c. 85; 1977, c.\n259; 1989, c. 727; 2006, c. 139.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}