WEST virginia Legislature

2016 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 648

By Senator Blair

[Introduced February 20, 2016;
Referred to the Committee on Government Organization.]

A BILL to amend and reenact §17C-3-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing local authorities to permit flashing traffic signals during low traffic times.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That §17C-3-7 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 3. TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS AND MARKINGS.

§17C-3-7. Flashing signals.

Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require requires obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

(1) Flashing red (stop signal). — When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be is subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

(2) Flashing yellow (caution signal). — When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such the signal only with caution.

(3) Local authorities, in areas that experience low traffic times, may permit flashing signals between the hours of eleven o’clock p.m. and six o’clock a.m.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow local authorities to permit flashing signals between the hours of eleven o’clock p.m. and six o’clock a.m. when traffic flow is usually low.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.