News

March 18, 2010
Virginia State Police Applaud Northern Virginians for Not Testing Their Luck on St. Patrick's Day by Drinking and Driving
AAA Mid-Atlantic and the Virginia State Police Urge Motorists to Drive Responsibly This St. Patrick's Day

FAIRFAX CO. – As the Virginia State Police Fairfax Division saturated the interstates of Northern Virginia Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday morning, it appears a majority of St. Patrick’s Day revelers chose not to drive drunk. During the special enforcement effort a total of six drunken driving arrests were made.

The 12-hour stepped-up St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign also yielded 61 speeding citations, 32 reckless driving citations, six seatbelt citations, 1 child safety seat citations, and more than 200 additional citations for equipment and other violations. State police also assisted 47 motorists.

“It is encouraging to see such a low number of DUI arrests resulting from a concentrated enforcement operation on the night of a holiday known for drunk-driving crashes and fatalities,” said Captain Tracy Russillo, Virginia State Police Fairfax Division Commander. “Unfortunately, a significant number of drivers instead tried to test their luck on violating HOV regulations.”

During Wednesday afternoon’s High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) enforcement blitz on Interstates 95, 395 and 66, Virginia State Police cited 236 HOV violators. Troopers utilized both moving and stationary enforcement methods to ensure compliance of HOV restrictions.

Motorists who violate HOV laws face the following fines: