JURISDICTION: VIRGIN ISLANDS
This chapter summarizes Virgin Island statutes related to speed.
General Reference: Virgin Islands Code (Updated through 1995)
Basis for a Speed Law Violation:
Basic Speed Rule: No person shall drive a motor vehicle at a
speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions
and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then
existing. Title 20, §494(a)
Statutory Speed Limit: 55 MPH (40 MPH for trucks or busses) on the Melvin H. Evans Highway on St. Croix Title 20, §494(b) & (c)
40 MPH on certain portions of Centerline Road(1) Title 20, §494(b)
35 MPH for motorcars, pick-up trucks or motorcycles outside town limits Title 20, §494(b)
20 MPH for motorcars, pick-up trucks or motorcycles within town limits Title 20, §494(b)
30 MPH for trucks or busses outside town limits Title 20, §494(c)
10 MPH for trucks or busses within town limits Title 20,
§494(c)
Posted (Maximum) Speed Limit: I. The Police Commissioner(2) may reduce the above maximum speed limits where there such action "is necessary for the public safety." Title 20, §494(e) Note: Virgin Island law does not specifically state whether different highway speed limits may be established either for different types of vehicles, for various weather conditions or for different times of the day.
II. The Police Commissioner is authorized to establish maximum
speed limits of not >20 MPH on streets and roads in housing
projects or developments. Title 20, §494(f)
Minimum Speed Limit: No person shall drive a motor vehicle at
such a slow speed as to impede, hinder or obstruct the normal and
reasonable movement of traffic. Title 20, §494a(a)
Posted (Minimum) Speed Limit: Based on engineering and traffic
investigations, the Police Commissioner may establish minimum
speed limits on a highway. Title 20, §494a(b)
Other:
Adjudication of Speed Law Violations:
Civil/Criminal Adjudication of Violation: All Speed Law Violations are Misdemeanors. Title 14, §§1 & 2 and Title 20, §544(f)
Other:
Sanctions Following an Adjudication of a Speed Law
Violation:
Criminal Sanctions:
Imprisonment:
Term (Day, Month, Years, Etc.): Not more than 6 months
Title 20, §544(f)
Sanctions Following an Adjudication of a Speed Law Violation:
(continued)
Mandatory Minimum Term: None
Fine:
Amount ($ Range): Not more than $200 Title 20, §544(f)
Mandatory Min. Fine ($): None
Other Penalties:
Traffic School:
Other:
Licensing Action:
Type of Licensing Action
(Susp/Rev): Revocation via Court Order Title 20, §546
Term of License Withdrawal
(Days, Months, Years, etc.): The court fixes the revocation period which may be either permanent or temporary. Title 20, §546
Mandatory Minimum Term of
Withdrawal: None The court's action is
discretionary. Title 20, §546
Miscellaneous Sanctions
Not Included Elsewhere: Persons <18 Years Old.
Offender's, who are <18 years old, are subject to the
following sanctions: A fine 100; court ordered
license revocation (court determines revocation period); and,
vehicle owned and operated by the offender impounded 60 days.
Title 20, §550
Other Criminal Actions Related to Speeding:
Reckless Driving: Misdemeanor Title 14, §§1 & 2 and Title 20, §§492 & 544(a)
Sanction:
Criminal:
Imprisonment (Term): Not more than 6 months Title 20, §544(a)
Mandatory Minimum Term
of Imprisonment: None
Fine ($ Range): Not more than $500 Title 20, §5444(a)
Mandatory Minimum Fine: None
Administrative Licensing Actions:
Type of Licensing Action
(Susp/Rev): Revocation via Court Order Title 20, §546
Length of Term of License
Withdrawal Action: The court fixes the revocation period which may be either permanent or temporary. Title 20, §546
Mandatory Term of License
Withdrawal Action: None The court's action is
discretionary. Title 20, §546
Other: Limited Vehicle Impoundment. For
failure to appear in court on reckless driving offense, an
offender's vehicle may be impounded for such time as the court
thinks proper. Title 20, §544(c)
Other Criminal Actions Related to Speeding:
(continued)
Reckless Driving:
Other: (continued) Persons <18 Years Old.
Offender's, who are <18 years old, are subject to the
following sanctions: A fine 100; court ordered
license revocation (court determines revocation period); and,
vehicle owned and operated by the offender impounded 60 days.
Title 20, §550
Negligent Driving(3): Misdemeanor Title 14, §§1 & 2 and Title 20, §§503 & 544(f)
Sanction:
Criminal:
Imprisonment (Term): Not more than 6 months Title 20, §544(f)
Mandatory Minimum Term
of Imprisonment: None
Fine ($ Range): Not more than $200 Title 20, §544(f)
Mandatory Minimum Fine: None
Administrative Licensing Actions:
Type of Licensing Action
(Susp/Rev): Revocation via Court Order Title 20, §546
Length of Term of License
Withdrawal Action: The court fixes the revocation period which may be either permanent or temporary. Title 20, §546
Mandatory Term of License
Withdrawal Action: None The court's action is
discretionary. Title 20, §546
Other: Persons <18 Years Old. Offender's,
who are <18 years old, are subject to the following sanctions:
A fine 100; court ordered license revocation
(court determines revocation period); and, vehicle owned and
operated by the offender impounded 60 days. Title 20, §550
1. 1This speed limit applies on "Centerline Road west of King's Hill in St. Croix." Title 20, §494(b)
2. 2Such action is subject to approval by the governor. Title 20, §494(e)
3. 3"Negligent driving" means "the operations of a vehicle upon the public highways of this Territory in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property." Title 20, §503 Note: This section also provides that negligent driving is a lesser included offense of reckless driving.