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2000 SESSION

004524716
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 74
Offered January 18, 2000
Requesting the Virginia Transportation Research Council to study the tables of speed and stopping distances contained in § 46.2-880 of the Code of Virginia.
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Patron-- Deeds
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, among the most important goals of Virginia's transportation program are the convenience and safety of the motoring public; and

WHEREAS, the vehicle speed is a critical variable in assessing and pursuing both travelers' convenience and highway safety; and

WHEREAS, it is highly desirable that the most accurate, complete, and current data be available to permit not only traffic engineers and other transportation professionals, but also the General Assembly and local transportation officials, to determine the optimum speed limits for Virginia's highways, speed limits that will allow travelers to reach their destinations both quickly and safely; and

WHEREAS, one source of data used by the General Assembly and others (including the courts of Virginia, who are required take judicial notice thereof) is the tables of speed and stopping distances contained in contained in § 46.2-880 of the Code of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, with the exception of changes in the number of the section itself, nothing in these tables has changed in any way since this section was first enacted by the General Assembly in 1956; and

WHEREAS, the number and extent of changes in motor vehicles, motor vehicle equipment (particularly tires and brakes), and highway construction and design that have occurred in the intervening 44 years strongly suggest that the tables of speed and stopping distances contained in contained in § 46.2-880 of the Code of Virginia may be in need of revision; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Transportation Research Council be requested to study the tables of speed and stopping distances contained in § 46.2-880 of the Code of Virginia. Such study shall consider, but not necessarily be limited to, (i) the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the data contained in such tables, (ii) the amendments to such tables that appear to be necessary or desirable, and (iii) the usefulness and appropriateness of continuing to include such tables in the Code of Virginia.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Council for this study, upon request.

The Council shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2001 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.