The Traffic Laws West Virginians Should Be Aware Of – Guest Post

Driving in West Virginia is both a joy and a challenge. The traffic can get particularly congested during peak hours. Mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. and evenings from 4 to 6 p.m. tend to be the busiest, particularly in urban areas like Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown.

Every road user, ranging from drivers, bikers, cyclists, down to even pedestrians, has to be aware of the traffic laws in West Virginia. These rules are designed to keep everyone safe and can help you avoid accidents or get in trouble with the law.

If you’re ever injured in a car accident, be sure to get in touch with competent West Virginia car accident lawyers. You’ll need the help of these legal professionals to get fair compensation for the losses you’ve sustained.

Laws You Should Know As a West Virginian

Here are rules every road used in West Virginia should be aware of:

Drinking and Driving Violations

If you’re planning to hit the road, make sure you’re sober. In West Virginia, if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, you’re in trouble. For commercial drivers, the limit is even lower at 0.04%.

And if you’re under 21, there can’t be any alcohol in your system—0.02% is the highest you’re supposed to hit.

Driving Without a License or With a Suspended License

You need a valid driver’s license to hit the road. If you’re driving without one, or if it’s suspended, you could face big fines and possibly even jail time.

It’s also important to keep your license up to date. If you lose it or it’s taken away for some reason, handle that before you think about driving again.

Driving Without Insurance

In West Virginia, everyone must have car insurance, and it has to meet minimum requirements for bodily injury and property damage. If you get caught without insurance, you’re looking at fines, a suspended license, and maybe even having your car towed.

Also, if you get into an accident and you’re not insured, you could be stuck paying for everything out of your own pocket.

Illegal U-Turns

In West Virginia, you can only turn around where it’s safe and legal. U-turns are often prohibited in specific areas, such as intersections and highways. If you break this rule, you could face fines or points on your license.

Mechanical Violations

In West Virginia, your vehicle must meet specific safety standards. You can’t drive around with faulty brakes, broken headlights, or missing mirrors.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is a no-go in West Virginia. If you’re driving like a maniac—speeding, weaving through traffic, or tailgating, you could face fines, points on your license, and even jail time. Reckless driving is taken very seriously and can result in large fines, points on your license, and even jail time in some cases.

Seat Belt and Child Restraint Violations

In West Virginia, wearing a seat belt is mandatory for both drivers and passengers. Child safety laws also require that children under a certain age or weight be properly secured in car seats or booster seats.

Unlawful Vehicle Modifications

If you love to customize your ride, make sure those changes are legal. Modifications that make your vehicle unsafe or violate West Virginia’s standards can get you in trouble.

If you’re caught driving a car that’s been modified in a way that violates the law, you could face fines and may need to fix your vehicle to get it back on the road. Everything you spent on sprucing up your ride would be a waste.