No vehicle shall be stopped except close to and parallel to the right edge of the curb or roadway, except that a vehicle may be stopped close to and parallel to the left curb or edge of the roadway on one-way streets or may be parked at an angle where permitted by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Department, ...

Section 46.2-889 of the Code of Virginia is a specific statute that addresses the legal requirements for "Proper speed and control" when a motor vehicle is approaching a "stationary vehicle" that is displaying flashing, blinking, or alternating blue, red, or amber lights. Essentially, this is a core component of Virginia's "Move Over" laws. The statute dictates that drivers on a highway with at least four lanes (two in each direction) must yield the right-of-way by moving into a lane not adjacent to the stationary emergency or service vehicle, provided it is safe to do so. If changing lanes is unreasonable or unsafe, the driver must proceed with "due caution" and reduce their speed significantly. In 2026, enforcement of these laws has become even stricter to protect law enforcement, tow truck operators, and highway maintenance workers. Violating this section is typically a traffic infraction but can be elevated to reckless driving if it results in property damage or injury. It is a critical law designed to prevent high-speed "secondary" collisions on busy Virginia corridors like I-95 or I-81.