Title 20 — Highways and Motor Vehicles
18 chapters · 279 sections in this title.
20 V.I.C. § 491 Police regulations; special traffic regulations
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(a) In addition to the provisions of this chapter, operators of motor vehicles shall observe the general traffic regulations contained in the Police Regulations set out in Title 23, and such traffic and parking regulations as may from time to time be published by the Police Commi…
20 V.I.C. § 492 Operating motor vehicles in reckless manner
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It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner over and along the public highways of this Territory. For the purpose of this section to “operate in a reckless manner” means the operation of a vehicle upon the public highways of this Territory …
20 V.I.C. § 493 Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or controlled substances; violations; penalties
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(a) (1) It is unlawful for any person who is under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance included in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of section 595, chapter 29, Title 19, Virgin Islands Code, or under the combined influence of an intoxicating liquor and …
20 V.I.C. § 493a Driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquors; presumptions
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(a) Upon the trial of any criminal action, or preliminary proceeding in a criminal action, arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person in violation of subsection (a) of section 493 of this chapter while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor, the resul…
20 V.I.C. § 493b Certification of chemical test operators and machines
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(a) The crime laboratory of the Department of Justice shall promulgate rules concerning the certification of:(1) chemical test operators;(2) machines and chemicals, if any, used in the operation of such machines; and(3) the technique used in operating a chemical testing machine. …
20 V.I.C. § 493c Chemical tests
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(a) Any person who drives, operates, or has under his physical control a motor vehicle in the Territory shall be deemed to have given his consent to chemical testing of his blood, breath or urine for the purpose of determining the alcoholic or drug content of his blood, provided …
20 V.I.C. § 494 Speed limits
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(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a public street or highway at a (1) speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing, or (2) drive a motor vehicle on a public street or highway where…
20 V.I.C. § 494a Minimum speed
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(a) No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede, hinder or obstruct the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe driving or when negotiating a grade, or in compliance with law. (b) Whenever the Police C…
20 V.I.C. § 495 Meeting; passing; turning; signals
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(a) Upon all highways or streets of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the left half of the highway or street, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, or when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the right…
20 V.I.C. § 495a Emergency vehicles; right-of-way; reasonable care
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(a) The driver of a motor vehicle on a public street or highway shall yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle being operated in an emergency, and when the driver of such emergency vehicle is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell. This provision shall not …
20 V.I.C. § 496 Motor vehicles meeting animals
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Every person operating a motor vehicle shall, on a signal by a person riding, leading, or driving horses or other draught animals, bring the motor vehicle to a stop, and if traveling in the opposite direction, remain stationary as long as may be reasonable to allow such animals t…
20 V.I.C. § 497 Parking; tickets for violation; procedure; evidence
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(a) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or…
20 V.I.C. § 497a Parking areas for taxicabs in Charlotte Amalie on tourist days; use
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(a) On days in which a tourist ship with 300 or more passengers visits the Port of Charlotte Amalie, the Police Commissioner shall designate on the Main Street of Charlotte Amalie not less than one dozen parking areas for the exclusive use of taxicabs for the period of the ship's…
20 V.I.C. § 497b Parking areas for taxicabs in St. Croix
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The Police Commissioner is hereby authorized to establish and from time to time, alter, modify or remove, exclusive parking areas for taxis on the island of St. Croix at such places where he may determine will serve the convenience and needs of the taxi-using public on such islan…
20 V.I.C. § 497c Access of Virgin Islands taxicab operators to docking facilities on tourist ship days
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The Police Commissioner is hereby authorized to establish by regulations means for affording access to public docking facilities in the Virgin Islands by taxicab operators on tourist ship days.
20 V.I.C. § 497d Taxicab access to privately owned or operated docking facilities on tourist ship days
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Upon the application of any person having jurisdiction over privately owned or operated docking facilities in the Virgin Islands, the Commissioner of Public Safety may regulate the operation of motor vehicles by taxicab operators on the ground or grounds of such docking facilitie…
20 V.I.C. § 497e Passenger loading zones at churches and religious organizations
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The Police Commissioner shall designate by appropriate signs a maximum of two (2) parking spaces in front of or in close proximity to a church or religious organization to be utilized for the loading and unloading of passengers only. However, such spaces may be utilized by the pa…
20 V.I.C. § 497f Police Commissioner to designate parking areas for fishermen
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The Police Commissioner may establish parking areas for fishermen to sell fish and other seafood from their motor vehicles, at the northside of the Rothschild Francis Square, the Lionel Roberts Stadium, Frenchtown, Fort Mylner and at such other locations as he determines serve th…
20 V.I.C. § 498 Number of passengers; riding outside vehicle
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(a) An automobile may carry only one passenger in excess of its registered capacity, except in the case of infants. (b) No person shall ride on the fenders, running board, any exterior fitting, or on the outside of motor vehicles, busses or trucks or hang on the sides thereof. Th…
20 V.I.C. § 499 Trimming trees and brush
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In the interest of public safety, the Police Commissioner may trim trees and clear away brush which obstruct the view of the road.
20 V.I.C. § 500 Load, height and width; special permits
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(a) The over-all measurement of the bodies of all motor vehicles, including all extensions, shall not exceed 8 feet in width, and no load shall extend beyond the body width. (b) Any load extending more than 5 feet beyond the front or rear of the body length shall be provided with…
20 V.I.C. § 501 Heavy equipment
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(a) No person, whether as principal or agent, shall drive or in any other way cause to pass over any macadamized or concrete-surfaced street or road any road-building or other heavy equipment which may cause the ripping up of or other injury, save usual wear and tear, to such str…
20 V.I.C. § 502 Truck chauffeurs
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The chauffeur of a truck shall at all times exercise the greatest degree of care and caution. The chauffeur of a truck shall be held responsible for violations of this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.
20 V.I.C. § 503 Operating motor vehicle in negligent manner
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It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle in a negligent manner over and along the public highways of this Territory. For the purpose of this section to “operate in a negligent manner” means the operation of a vehicle upon the public highways of this Territor…
20 V.I.C. § 504 Negligent homicide by means of motor vehicle
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(a) When the death of a person ensues within one year as a proximate result of injury received by the operation of a vehicle by any person while under the influence of or affected by intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs or by the operation of any vehicle in a reckless manner or …
20 V.I.C. § 505 Starting parked vehicle
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No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.
20 V.I.C. § 506 Emerging from alley, driveway or building
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The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, driveway, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, and shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian as may be necessary to avoid collision, an…
20 V.I.C. § 507 Limitations on backing
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The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.
20 V.I.C. § 508 Opening and closing vehicle doors
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No person shall open the door of a motor vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load…
20 V.I.C. § 509 Use of handheld mobile telephones while driving prohibited
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(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and phrases have the meanings given to them in this subsection.(1) “Engage in a call” means talking into or listening on a hand-held mobile telephone, but does not include holding a mobile telephone to activate, deacti…
20 V.I.C. § 509a Text-based communications prohibited
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(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication. (b) As used in this section “write, send, or read a text-based communication” means(1) using an electronic wireless communicat…
20 V.I.C. § 509b Televisions and television type receiving equipment prohibited
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(a) No motor vehicle operated on the roads and highways of the Virgin Islands shall be equipped with any television or television type receiving equipment so located that the viewer, display or screen is visible from the driver’s seat. (b) As used in this section “television type…
20 V.I.C. § 510 White Cane Law
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(a) Any blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip, or using a dog guide equipped with a rigid “U”-shaped harness, shall have the right-of-way in crossing any highway, street, or any intersection thereof, and all dr…
20 V.I.C. § 511 Traffic signal preemption device
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(a) For purposes of this section, a “traffic signal preemption device” means any device that emits a pulse of light or other signal that, when received by a detector attached to a traffic control signal, changes that traffic control signal. (b) It is unlawful to install, transpor…
20 V.I.C. § 512 Schedule of fines for traffic violations
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(a) Schedule of Fees for Speeding Violations in School Zones:VIC VIOLATION DESCRIPTION 1st. FEE 2nd. FEE 3rd. FEE T 20, 374 Allowing unlicensed driver to operate a vehicle100.00100.00 200.00T 20, 461(a), (b) Operating vehicles with bald tires 100.00125.00150.00T 20, 461(a), (b) O…
20 V.I.C. § 513 Traffic fines
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(1) The fines collected under Part II of this title must be distributed as follows:(1) 15 percent must be disbursed to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles;(2) 40 percent must be disbursed to the Virgin Islands Police Department to be divided equally between the district of St. Croix and…
20 V.I.C. § 521 Definitions
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(1) As used in this subchapter the following terms have the meaning set forth in this section.(1) “Active data” means data uploaded to individual, automated license plate reader system units before operation; and data gathered during the operation of an automated license plate re…
20 V.I.C. § 522 Collection and preservation
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(a) The Virgin Islands Police Department shall develop and maintain an automated license plate reader system database. (b) The Department and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles may collect, and store captured images and plate data for the purposes described and as prescribed in this su…
20 V.I.C. § 523 Permissible use
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(a) The automated license plate reader system may be used by a law enforcement agency for a legitimate law enforcement purpose and by a governmental entity for the purpose of:(1) enforcing all laws;(2) investigating any potential crime or criminal activity;(3) conducting traffic …
20 V.I.C. § 524 Disclosure of captured plate images and data
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(a) Information gathered by an automated license plate reader system is not a public record and not subject to disclosure under the Virgin Islands Public Records Act, 3 V.I.C. § 881 et seq. (b) Captured plate images and data may not be used or shared for any other purpose other t…
20 V.I.C. § 525 Penalties
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(a) Any person who knowingly requests, uses, obtains or attempts to obtain images or data captured from an automated license plate reader system under false pretenses or for any purpose other than the purposes identified in section 523(a) is for each such offense guilty of a misd…
20 V.I.C. § 526 Regulations
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(a) The Department and the Bureau in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General shall promulgate regulations relating to the operation and use of the automated license plate reader system. (b) The regulations must include:(1) Designation of staff in the Department and t…
20 V.I.C. § 531 Short title
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(a) This subchapter may be cited as the “School Speed Zone and Enforcement Act.”
20 V.I.C. § 532 Definitions
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(1) As used in this subchapter, unless the context requires otherwise:(1) “School Speed Zone” means a designated area within a specified distance from a school property boundary where vehicular speed limits are reduced below the standard limits for the road to enhance safety. The…
20 V.I.C. § 533 Establishment of School Speed Zones
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(1) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, shall establish the boundaries for each school to determine its school speed zones. School speed zones must:(1) be established in proximi…
20 V.I.C. § 534 Enforcement Measures
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The Virgin Islands Police Department, along with all P.O.S.T. certified peace officers, are responsible for enforcing the reduced speed limits within school speed zones. But law enforcement officers who are authorized to issue citations may issue a citation to a motorist who viol…
20 V.I.C. § 535 Penalties
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(a) Any person found in violation of the provisions of this section is subject to a civil penalty of $500 for each infraction.
20 V.I.C. § 536 Fines; collection
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Thirty-three and one-third percent of the fines collected from school zone speeding violations must be allocated to the Virgin Islands Police Department for traffic safety education programs, and improvements in school zone safety infrastructure and the remaining 33.3 percent of …
20 V.I.C. § 537 Department of Education Department of Public Works and Virgin Islands Police Department continuing obligations
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The Virgin Islands Police Department shall use all available technology including speed cameras and radar to enforce school zone speed limits. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Police Department, shall conduct periodic reviews of school zone sa…