CHAPTER 216

AN ACT to amend and reenact § 46-215.2 of the Code of Virginia, relat-
ing to checking of speed of motor vehicles by radiomicro waves or
other electrical devices, the evidential effect thereof, and conditions
under which arrests are permitted. TH 228)

Approved March 3, 1956

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 46-215.2 of the Code of Virginia be amended and reenacted
as follows: .

§ 46-215.2. (a) The speed of any motor vehicle may he checked
by the use of radiomicro waves or other electrical device. The results
CHS. 216, 217] ACTS OF ASSEMBLY 221

of such checks shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of the speed of
such motor vehicle in any court or legal proceedings where the speed
of the motor vehicle is at issue. .

(b) The driver of any such motor vehicle may be arrested without
warrant under this section provided the arresting officer is in uniform
or displays his badge of authority; provided that such officer has observed
the recording of the speed of such motor vehicle by the radiomi¢ro waves
or other electrical device, or has received a radio message from the
officer who observed the speed of the motor vehicle recorded by the
radiomicro waves or other electrical device; provided in case of an
arrest based on such a message that such radio message has been dis-
patched immediately after the speed of the motor vehicle was recorded
and furnished the license number of the vehicle and the recorded speed
to the arresting officer. .

(c) No operator of a motor vehicle may be arrested under this
section unless signs have been placed at the State line on the primary
highway system, and outside cities and towns having over 3500 popula-
tion, on the primary highways to indicate the legal rate of speed and that
the speed of motor vehicles may be measured by radiomicro waves or
other electrical devices; there shall be a prima facie presumption that
such signs have been so placed, and a certificate of the State Highway
Commissioner as to the placing of such signs shall be admissible in
evidence to support such presumption.

(d) Nothing herein shall affect the powers of cities or towns to
adopt and use such devices to measure speed.