Reckless Driving "side by side" is prohibited in VA

[woodwheel]

Can you believe that riding side by side is reckless driving in VA? We learned this when a state trooper followed us for 10 miles then pulled us over for riding side by side, improper display of tags and anything else he could think of to make a stop. What makes it even worse it was a motorcycle cop. No love. Long story short the side by side law is a joke... After about 15 mins of arguing with this guy he let us go with no tickets...

§ 46.2-857. Driving two abreast in a single lane.

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to be abreast of another vehicle in a lane designed for one vehicle, or drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to travel abreast of any other vehicle traveling in a lane designed for one vehicle. However, this section shall not apply to any validly authorized parade, motorcade, or motorcycle escort, nor shall it apply to a motor vehicle traveling in the same lane of traffic as a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped.

 

[little]

Here in Nova Scotia, if you are doing 40 over the posted speed limit (KM/hr) "with" another vehicle you can be charged with racing. Vehicle impounded, huge fine, loss of licence....

Over the top.

 

[woodwheel]

So I have been doing my homework and there is one other state with the same dumb a$$ law... The winner is Vermont!

 

[Busa1166]

Law sucks but I never ride side by side, I don't like having anyone on my side. The extra space comes in handy for avoiding small debris that creeps up on you sometimes on the roadway or even your average idiot cager. IMO
In FL you can get ticket if you ride with one hand. Some riders like to rest an arm across the tank an just have the one on the throttle for those longer rides. No tickets though

 

[heavybusa]

Welcome to the Commonwealth. We have the worst laws.

 

[woodwheel]

Law sucks but I never ride side by side, I don't like having anyone on my side. The extra space comes in handy for avoiding small debris that creeps up on you sometimes on the roadway or even your average idiot cager. IMO
In FL you can get ticket if you ride with one hand. Some riders like to rest an arm across the tank an just have the one on the throttle for those longer rides. No tickets though

That's just it we were not riding "side by side"... We pulled up next to each other at the red light. The whole situation was strange. This guy got off the intersate and just followed us.

 

[Rayabusa0818]

I have no problem with that law. I don't want anyone riding beside me in the same lane. I like to have it all to myself.

Staggered riding is the way to go.

 

[Busa1166]

Dam that's messed up! I 'm going to check to see if that applies here if it does when we ride in group and stop at the light we will take the whole dam roadway for ourselves.

 

[UncleSteve]

Can you believe that riding side by side is reckless driving in VA? We learned this when a state trooper followed us for 10 miles then pulled us over for riding side by side, improper display of tags and anything else he could think of to make a stop. What makes it even worse it was a motorcycle cop. No love. Long story short the side by side law is a joke... After about 15 mins of arguing with this guy he let us go with no tickets...

§ 46.2-857. Driving two abreast in a single lane.

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to be abreast of another vehicle in a lane designed for one vehicle, or drives any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle, so as to travel abreast of any other vehicle traveling in a lane designed for one vehicle. However, this section shall not apply to any validly authorized parade, motorcade, or motorcycle escort, nor shall it apply to a motor vehicle traveling in the same lane of traffic as a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped.

Bad law, should be repealed or reduced the penalty. Reckless usually requires a wanton disregard for your safety or others.
Simple lane sharing does not qualify.
I understand why they don't want two vehicles in one lane, but reckless driving is over the top.
Good thing the Trooper sees it that way.
Sometimes laws are written and officers must use common sense and not enforce them to the letter.
Problem with this theory is the few (I hope few) abuse the authority given to them and hammer everyone.
We rarely hear of all the good officers and the good they do. People want to talk/write about the bad.

 

[woodwheel]

What's really funny is I was riding with no hands coasting up to a couple lights before I spotted him in my rear view trying to sneak up on us. No mention of that from him though…

 

[woodwheel]

Bad law, should be repealed or reduced the penalty. Reckless usually requires a wanton disregard for your safety or others.
Simple lane sharing does not qualify.
I understand why they don't want two vehicles in one lane, but reckless driving is over the top.
Good thing the Trooper sees it that way.
Sometimes laws are written and officers must use common sense and not enforce them to the letter.
Problem with this theory is the few (I hope few) abuse the authority given to them and hammer everyone.
We rarely hear of all the good officers and the good they do. People want to talk/write about the bad.

It looks like they are working on a repeal.

"In the U.S. it's legal for motorcycles to ride side-by-side in 48 states.

"And now, officials in one of the two holdout states, Virginia is working to join the majority.

"Delegate Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) has introduced House Bill 48, which would allow two motorcycles to ride side-by-side in the same lane. If the bill is successful, Vermont would be the lone state where side-by-side riding is not allowed.

"If you live in Virginia, you can show your support for House Bill 48 by going to the AMA Rapid Response Center at American Motorcyclist: The Official Site of the American Motorcyclist Association to contact your delegate."

 

[V-Max 2 Busa]

Out here in Cali all the motorcycle cops, city, county & CHP all ride like this, side by side with short sleeve shirts to boot, must be an ego thing, now on the other hand you take a bunch of fun loving sport bike/Busa nuts and we all ride in a staggared formation, go figure.

 

[Alsterbator]

Law sucks but I never ride side by side, I don't like having anyone on my side. The extra space comes in handy for avoiding small debris that creeps up on you sometimes on the roadway or even your average idiot cager. IMO
In FL you can get ticket if you ride with one hand. Some riders like to rest an arm across the tank an just have the one on the throttle for those longer rides. No tickets though

Florida law:

316.2085 Riding on motorcycles or mopeds.--

(4) No person shall operate a motorcycle or moped while carrying any package, bundle, or other article which prevents the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.

Simply resting your hand on the tank or hip is not a violation of the law. Law states that that you can not carry anything that would keep you from having both hands on the hand grips... doesn't state that you must keep both hands on the hand grips.

It is one law that is commonly misinterpreted by LEO's, take it to court and fight it, It's been thrown out before.

 

[Mr Bogus]

is legal in Indiana.. (provided you have the "permission" of the other person sharing the lane with you..) this includes at stop lights..

 

[DEMMYM]

You also mentioned the display of tags, Mine is on a tag relocator, My neighbor the cop pointed out to me that was illegal that the law states reading left to right and in the middle of the vehicle, Then he also pointed out his wifes Honda car where the plate is mounted on the left side of the car ( From the manufacturer ) said there pretty lienant on that law

 

[UncleSteve]

I don't know why there are states with laws that state the tag has to be in the center.
Harley has two models which the tag is mounted on the left side. They should be 50 state legal if sold from the factory.
Another bad law.

 

[runeight]

I have no problem with that law. I don't want anyone riding beside me in the same lane. I like to have it all to myself.

Staggered riding is the way to go.

Agree.

A few years ago at the River Run two Hardley riders were doing a side by side thing. Crosswind came along, handlebars locked, both were killed.

r8

 

[woodwheel]

You also mentioned the display of tags, Mine is on a tag relocator, My neighbor the cop pointed out to me that was illegal that the law states reading left to right and in the middle of the vehicle, Then he also pointed out his wifes Honda car where the plate is mounted on the left side of the car ( From the manufacturer ) said there pretty lienant on that law

He couldn't get me on the tag... I have TX tags... TX doesn’t have any specific verbiage in the code.

 

[DEMMYM]

We usually ride staggerd, Just in case someone from the opposite direction decides to cross that center line we have room to move over quickly without worrying about putting a buddy in the ditch.

 

[BIKE DUDE]

I have no problem with that law. I don't want anyone riding beside me in the same lane. I like to have it all to myself.

Staggered riding is the way to go.

+1 I was thinking the exact same thing and want to add that a stagger formation leaves the appropriate space for evasive maneuvers if necessary. I don't want someone crowding me and then maybe taking me out if something happens.