West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB4538: Regarding fines in DOH work zones
Status: Signed into law, April 1, 2026
What the bill says
An act to amend and reenact §17C-3-4a and §17C-3-4b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; all relating to increasing fines and criminal penalties for speeding, traffic control violations, and violations of the Electronically Distracted Driving Act in construction work zones when workers are present. ARTICLE 3. TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS. §17C-3-4a. Obedience to traffic-control instructions at site of street or highway construction or maintenance; penalty. (a) The driver of any vehicle shall obey the traffic-control instructions of any law-enforcement officer or persons auth.
From the enrolled text, March 14, 2026:
AN ACT to amend and reenact §17C-3-4a and §17C-3-4b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; all relating to increasing fines and criminal penalties for speeding, traffic control violations, and violations of the Electronically Distracted Driving Act in construction work zones when workers are present. ARTICLE 3. TRAFFIC SIGNS, SIGNALS, AND MARKINGS. §17C-3-4a. Obedience to traffic-control instructions at site of street or highway construction or maintenance; penalty. (a) The driver of any vehicle shall obey the traffic-control instructions of any law-enforcement officer or persons authorized by the commissioner of highways or by proper local authorities to operate traffic-control devices, act as flagmen, or operate authorized vehicles engaged in work at or near the site of street or highway construction maintenance work, for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in this chapter. (b) Any person failing to comply with the requirements of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $100; upon a second conviction within one year thereafter, shall be fined not more than $200; and upon a third or subsequent conviction, shall be fined not more than $500. (c) Any person failing to comply with the requirements of this section when any worker is …