CHAPTER 579

AN ACT to protect blind and partially blind pedestrians on public
streets and highways; by requiring vehicles to come to a
full stop in certain cases; restricting the use of certain col-
ored canes by other pedestrians; and imposing penalties.

[ H 43 ]
Approved April 11, 1950
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. Whenever a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to

cross a public street or highway, within the corporate limits of
any city or town, carrying in a raised or extended position a cane
or walking stick clearly visible above the body which is white
in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle ap-
proaching the intersection, except where there is a traffic officer
on duty or traffic lights in use, shall bring his vehicle to a full
stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing,
unless such crossing is controlled by a traffic light or a traffic
officer.

§ 2. It is unlawful for any person, unless totally. or par-
tially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public
street or highway, within the corporate limits of any city, or
town, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking
stick which is white in color or white tipped with red.

§ 3. Nothing contained in this act shall be construed to
deprive any totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated
person, not carrying such a cane or walking stick or not being
guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law
upon pedestrians crossing streets or highways, nor shall the
failure of such totally or partially blind or otherwise incapaci-
tated person to carry a cane or walking stick, or to be guided
by a guide dog upon the streets, highways or sidewalks of this
Commonwealth, be held to constitute nor be evidence of contribu-
tory negligence.

4. Any person who violates any provision of this act,
shall upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not exceed-
ing twenty-five dollars or imprisonment in jail not exceeding
ten days, or both.