WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
2025 REGULAR SESSION
ENROLLED
House Bill 2344
By Delegates J. Cannon, Chiarelli, Holstein, Browning, and Eldridge
[Passed April 12, 2025; in effect 90 days from passage (July 11, 2025)]
AN ACT to amend and reenact §17C-14-9a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to requiring drivers take certain actions when approaching stationary vehicles that display a warning signal; providing for fine, confinement, and suspension of driving privileges
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
## ARTICLE 14. MISCELLANEOUS RULES.
#### §17C-14-9a. Approaching stationary vehicles; penalties.
(a) The driver of any vehicle approaching a stationary vehicle, when the stationary vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, blue, or red and blue lights or amber or yellow warning lights, emergency flashers or hazard lights, flares, or retroreflective warning sign shall:
(1) Proceed with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle, if possible with regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle and reduce speed to a safe level for road conditions; or
(2) Proceed with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour on any nondivided highway or street and 25 miles per hour on any divided highway depending on road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.
(b) (1) Any person who violates any subsection of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or confined in the county or regional jail not more than 60 days, or both fined and confined.
(2) If violation of this section results in property damage in addition to any other penalty imposed, driving privileges of the persons causing the property damage shall be suspended for 90 days.
(3) If violation of this section results in injury to another person in addition to any other penalty imposed, the driving privileges of the person causing the injury shall be suspended for six months.
(4) If violation of this section results in the death of another person in addition to any other penalty imposed, the driving privileges of the person causing the death shall be suspended for two years.
(5) Any person who violates any provision of this section and while doing so also violates §17C-5-2 of this code is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall, in addition to the penalties set out in §17C-5-2 of this code and this section, be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000, or confined in jail for a period not more than six months, or both fined and confined.
The Clerk of the House of Delegates and the Clerk of the Senate hereby certify that the foregoing bill is correctly enrolled.
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Clerk of the House of Delegates
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Clerk of the Senate
Originated in the House of Delegates.
In effect 90 days from passage.
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Speaker of the House of Delegates
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President of the Senate
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The within is ................................................ this the...........................................
Day of ..........................................................................................................., 2025.
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Governor