News

July 19, 2010
Operation Air, Land & Speed Concludes with 6,000 Plus Traffic Violations Issued on Interstates 81 & 95
Zero Traffic Fatalities on Either Interstate During Safety Enforcement Effort

RICHMOND – If you were speeding, driving recklessly or driving impaired on Interstate 81 or 95, then you were one of the thousands of motorists cited during the weekend as part of Virginia State Police’s Operation Air, Land & Speed traffic-safety enforcement effort. During the special initiative, there were no fatal traffic crashes reported on either interstate.

From July 17, 2010 through July 18, 2010, Virginia State Police stopped a total of 3,313 speeders, 628 reckless drivers and 12 drunk drivers between both interstates. A total of 248 safety belt violations were cited, and 15 drug and felony arrests were made by state troopers. The operation yielded 6,264 total summonses and arrests.

Interstate 81 Interstate 95 Category 1,862 1,451 Speeders 191 437 Reckless Drivers 6 6 Impaired Drivers 99 149 Safety Belt Citations

“Unfortunately, there are still too many motorists who choose to speed, drive carelessly or drive impaired - all factors that cause crashes,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “We want to ensure the safety of our interstates and this initiative helps us accomplish this goal by allowing additional troopers to patrol the targeted areas with strict highway enforcement. If you choose to drive aggressively, then Virginia State Police has no choice but to be aggressive in our efforts to save lives.”

This weekend’s traffic safety project was the third time since March Interstates 95 and 81 have been a part of Operation Air, Land & Speed. It is also the fifteenth time this operation has been conducted on the north-south corridors of I-81 and I-95 since its inception in 2006. The enforcement effort targeted all 177 miles of I-95 from border to border; and all 325 miles of I-81 from border to border. Including this weekend’s operation, a total of 135,845 summonses and arrests has resulted from 26 Operation Air, Land & Speed initiatives conducted across the Commonwealth.

The comprehensive enforcement project utilized troopers, supervisors, motorcycle units, motor carrier teams and aviation. State police operational duties on other interstates, primary and secondary roads were not affected during the operation. Funding for the enforcement initiative was provided through federal highway safety monies.

Funds generated from summonses issued by state police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.