Virginia Code § 46.2-922 makes it unlawful to do what?

• A. Driving over unprotected fire hose without consent of the fire department command officer.
• B. Blocking a crosswalk unnecessarily.
• C. Speeding through alert zones.
• D. Ignoring fire hydrants.

Answer: (D)

Access to fire hydrants must be unobstructed at all times. Virginia code protects the water supply lines firefighters rely on by prohibiting behavior that ignores or blocks hydrants. When a hydrant is ignored or not kept clear, firefighters can’t connect hoses quickly, which can delay firefighting operations and put lives and property at greater risk. That’s why this option is the one specified by the statute as unlawful—the hydrant itself and the space around it must be respected to ensure immediate access during emergencies.

The other scenarios describe dangerous actions that would also be unlawful in many contexts, but they are not the focus of this particular statute. Driving over a hose is a severe safety violation and typically requires specific authorization; blocking a crosswalk or speeding in alert zones concerns general traffic safety rather than hydrant access. The hydrant-related prohibition directly aligns with keeping critical water sources available for fire response.