It is now illegal to ask for money, pass out fliers or sell anything -- including newspapers -- on any public roadway in Henrico County.

Last night, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a change in county ordinance that prohibits people from standing in highways and soliciting contributions, distributing handbills, or selling merchandise to drivers or passengers in vehicles.

A violation would be considered a traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250.

Henrico Police Chief Col. H.W. Stanley Jr. said his department has received numerous complaints about people conducting such activities while standing in medians or intersections.

"Their actions have created serious traffic issues such as impeding the traffic flow, creating fear in the minds of the public, and diverting drivers from their primary task of operating a vehicle, as well as creating a danger to themselves," Stanley said.

Speaking in favor of the new law last night, Fairfield District resident George Robertson said he has observed aggressive soliciting of cars at busy intersections.

For the past year, however, newspaper hawkers have been selling Sunday newspapers from median strips in the county without incident, said Thomas A. Silvestri, president and publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

"We are a community business, and we recognize this as an opportunity to employ folks who are trying to get back to normal or who need money," Silvestri said.

Scott Payne, single-copy manager for The Times-Dispatch, said about 1,000 newspapers are sold every Sunday at intersections in the eastern end of the county.

"We have regular, loyal customers who seek out their favorite hawker, and it is a smooth transaction," Payne said.

Silvestri asked county leaders to modify the ordinance so it wouldn't restrict the sale of newspapers "or other activities similarly protected by the First Amendment."

The supervisors, however, agreed with the county attorney's recommendation not to make an exception for any group. The new ordinance takes effect immediately.

The ordinance defines "highway" as the entire width of a road or street used for vehicular traffic and the shoulder, the median and the area between the travel lane and the back of the curb.

Previously, Henrico could regulate such activity only on secondary highways owned and maintained by the county, such as Parham Road and Laburnum Avenue. Henrico and Arlington County are the only Virginia counties that maintain their own secondary roads.

During this year's General Assembly session, Henrico and Richmond sought and received authorization to adopt similar ordinances for all highways -- including state roads -- located within their boundaries. Richmond has had an ordinance prohibiting solicitation from median strips since 1997.

Hanover and Chesterfield counties do not have laws against soliciting in highways, but Hanover plans to pursue legislation in the next General Assembly session.

Contact Melodie N. Martin at (804) 649-6290 or mmartin@timesdispatch.com.