Pedestrians; walking on roadways that are part of divided highways.

This legislation updates Virginia law regarding pedestrian safety on high-speed divided highways. Currently, pedestrians are generally prohibited from walking on limited-access highways, but ambiguity exists regarding certain sections of divided roadways. The new law clarifies and strengthens restrictions to prevent pedestrians from walking along roadways that are part of divided highways unless specific exceptions apply, such as in emergencies or designated pedestrian zones. For Arlington residents, this move aims to reduce traffic accidents and improve motorist safety on busy regional corridors like parts of Route 50 or I-395. By clearly defining where foot traffic is legally permitted, the bill seeks to decrease dangerous interactions between pedestrians and high-speed vehicular traffic, ultimately lowering the risk of collisions on the county's major commuter arteries.