CHAPTER 700

An Act to amend and reenact § 46-204, as amended, of the Code of Vir-
ginia, relating to power of counties to regulate traffic. [H 768)

Approved March 31, 1956

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 46-204, as amended, of the Code of Virginia be amended and
reenacted as follows:

§ 46-204. The authorities of counties, except as herein otherwise
provided, shall have no authority to adopt any ordinances, rules and regu-
lations concerning matters covered by this chapter. All ordinances, rules
and regulations, except as herein otherwise provided, adopted by the
authorities of any county in conflict with the provisions of this section
are hereby repealed.

But nothing in this section shall apply to the authorities or the ordi-
nances, rules and regulations adopted by the authorities of any county
which adjoins a city within or without this State having a population of
one hundred and twenty-five thousand or more, provided such county has
a trial justice; provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the
authorities or the ordinances, rules and regulations adopted by the govern-
ing body of any county which adjoins two cities of the first class and
within the boundaries of which said county is located any United States
military camp, and provided, further, that the fines collected for the
violation of such ordinances shall be paid to the State when the arrest is
cus. 700, 701, 702] ACTS OF ASSEMBLY 1053

made by an officer of any division of the State government. Nor shall this
section be construed as prohibiting the governing body of any county, by
ordinance duly adopted, from prohibiting any or all of the following acts
on the highways in such county outside the limits of any incorporated
town wherein traffic is regulated by town ordinances: .

(1) Backing a vehicle unless such movement can be made with safety
and without interfering with other traffic; or

_ _ (2) Operating any vehicle upon the highways in such county without

giving his full time and attention to the operation of said vehicle; or

(3) Operating any vehicle upon the highways in such county and
failing to keep the vehicle under proper control at all times.

No ordinance so adopted shall impose any penalty in excess of the
penalty prescribed in this chapter for reckless driving.