News
August 23, 2010
Interstates 64 & 66 Focus of August Operation Air, Land & Speed Enforcement
Weekend Initiative Results in 4,016 Violations
RICHMOND – Were you driving along Interstate 64 or Intestate 66 this weekend? If so, then you probably noticed Operation Air, Land & Speed in effect. The weekend safety campaign has been part of the Virginia State Police traffic safety initiative since 2006. The enforcement effort began Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 through Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010 with an increase in troopers and resulted in 4,016 traffic violations for both interstates.
Troopers and supervisors stopped a total of 2,157 speeders, 394 reckless drivers and nine drunk drivers. In addition, 152 safety seat belt violations were cited and 25 felony/drug arrests were made. There were zero traffic fatalities on the designated interstates during the enforcement period. The following is a partial breakdown for each interstate:
| Category |
Interstate 64 |
Interstate 66 |
| Speeders |
1,809 |
348 |
| Reckless Drivers |
312 |
82 |
| Impaired Drivers |
7 |
2 |
| Safety Belt Citations |
135 |
17 |
| Drug/Felonies |
19 |
6 |
“We are committed to making our interstates safer and Operation Air, Land and Speed helps us to achieve that goal,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “By stepping up our presence on selected interstate corridors, we know it directly affects drivers’ behaviors and actions.”
This is the fifth Operation Air, Land and Speed project in 2010. The comprehensive enforcement project utilized troopers, supervisors, motorcycle units and motor carrier teams. State police operational duties on other interstates, primary and secondary roads were not affected during the operation.
State police last targeted I-64 and I-66 in December 2009. As a result of the one-day campaign, state police cited 973 speeders, 226 reckless drivers and 105 seat belt violations. Three drunk drivers were arrested and 11 other drug/felony arrests were made.
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. Funding for the enforcement initiative was provided through federal highway safety monies. |
