Va. Code § 46.2-880

Current with changes from the 2024 legislative session through ch. 845

Section 46.2-880 - Tables of speed and stopping distances

All courts shall take notice of the following tables of speed and stopping distances of motor vehicles, which shall not raise a presumption, in actions in which inquiry thereon is pertinent to the issues:

a	SPEED IN		AVERAGE STOPPING DISTANCES			TOTAL STOPPING
b	Avg Driver	DISTANCES:
c	Truck Brakes	Perception-	DRIVER AND
d	Miles	Feet	Automobile	Brakes on	Reaction Time
e	Per	Per	Brakes	All Wheels	(1.5 Seconds)	Automobiles	Trucks
f	Hour	Second	(In Feet)	(In Feet)	(In Feet)	(In Feet)	(In Feet)
g	10	14.7	5	6	22	27	28
h	15	22.0	11	14	33	44	47
i	20	29.3	19	25	44	63	69
j	25	36.7	30	40	55	85	95
k	30	44.0	43	57	66	109	123
l	35	51.3	58	78	77	135	155
m	40	58.7	76	102	88	164	190
n	45	66.0	96	129	99	195	228
o	50	73.3	119	159	110	229	269
p	55	80.7	144	192	121	265	313
q	60	88.0	171	229	132	303	361
r	65	95.3	201	268	143	344	411
s	70	102.7	233	311	154	387	465
t	75	110.0	268	357	165	433	522
u	80	117.3	305	406	176	481	582
v	85	124.7	344	459	187	531	646
w	90	132.0	386	514	198	584	712
x	95	139.3	430	573	209	639	782
y	100	146.7	476	635	220	696	855

The courts shall further take notice that the above table has been constructed, using scientific reasoning, to provide factfinders with an average baseline for motor vehicle stopping distances:

(1) for a vehicle in good condition and

(2) on a level, dry stretch of highway, free from loose material.

Deviations from these circumstances do not negate the usefulness of the table, but rather call for additional site-specific examination and/or explanation.

Site-specific research may be utilized under any circumstances.

Va. Code § 46.2-880

Code 1950, § 46-212.2; 1956, c. 600; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-195; 1989, c. 727; 2001, c. 145; 2003, c. 277.

Amended by Acts 2003, c. 277.

Amended by Acts 2001, c. 145.

Amended by Acts 1989, c. 727.

Amended by Acts 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-195.

Amended by Acts 1956, c. 600.