Driving in Norfolk

We're committed to building a robust multimodal transportation network to make it safe and convenient for you to get around on foot, by bike, by scooter, and on transit. We've developed these programs to improve the quality of life in the city, to meet our climate and environmental goals, and to preserve our limited roadway capacity and parking supply. Follow the links on the left to learn more about getting around Norfolk without your car.

We do recognize that there are times when people need to drive. If you plan to drive in and around Norfolk, the following information can help make your trip easier and safer.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!

We're proud to team up with the National Safety Council to recognize Distracted Driving Awareness Month. When you're behind the wheel, your only job is to drive. Distracted driving can be deadly, so please put away all distractions and focus on the road! You life - and those of others - is worth more than any call, text or playlist.

Before you put the car in drive, remember these three easy steps:

Program your GPS
Set up your playlist
Silence and put away your cell phone

Any activity that takes your attention away from driving is a distraction, even hands-free phone use. There are three main types of driving distractions:

Visual: taking your eyes off the road
Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving

Safety Tips

Cyclists and pedestrians use the street along with scooters and e-bikes, so please be aware of these other road users while driving. To build a successful multimodal network, it's important for vehicles to coexist with pedestrians and bicyclists on our roads.

To encourage safe driving habits we ask that you:

Obey the speed limit - this can significantly decrease the severity of an injury to a pedestrian or bicyclist
Be alert - avoid distractions and always look for pedestrians or cyclists before making a turn
Stop at crosswalks - pedestrians always have the right of way in all crosswalks
Pass safely - Virginia law (§ 46.2-839) requires drivers to pass at least 3 feet to the left of cyclists

Visit our Vision Zero webpage for more information about the program, and click on the safety cards below for tips on how to be safe on our streets!

Download the Bicycle Card | Download the Pedestrian Card | Download the Scooter Card | Download the Driver Card