News

February 22, 2011
'Survive the Drive' Campaign to Start in Stafford County
Stafford County Sheriff's Office announces start of new year-long public safety initiative to keep county's roadways safe

Stafford, Va. — The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office announces the start of a year long public safety initiative called Survive the Drive Campaign. This campaign aims to provide education, information and solutions to keep the roadways of Stafford County safe. The campaign is designed to reduce crashes in Stafford County and gain compliance in traffic laws through education and compliance.

Particular areas or roadways in Stafford have been identified as places where additional resources will be placed to improve driver behavior. Prior to specific target areas being selected for additional enforcement the Sheriff’s Office analyzes a number of factors. Information such as crash data, traffic counts, speed surveys, road design and input or complaints from citizens are evaluated to help determine target areas. Once target areas are identified a program is then designed to alleviate the problem. Educating the public about the specifics of the program is initiated to include the reasons for the program as well when and where the enforcement component of the plan will take place. Sign boards are set up informing motorists of the upcoming enforcement. News releases are sent out to the media so that as many citizens as possible are aware of the campaign.

Three heavily travelled roads in Stafford County have been analyzed and selected for the initial phase of the Survive the Drive Campaign. The first phase of the Survive the Drive Campaign will start on March 1 on Mountain View Road. On March 15 the focus of the campaign will be Courthouse Road. On March 15, River Road in South Stafford will be the focus of the enhanced enforcement.

“The goal of Survive the Drive is to change driver behavior, not to give out tickets,” states Sheriff Charles Jett. “If we can educate drivers about what we are going to be doing and why and driving behaviors change than our focus on saving lives will be realized.”

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has received a grant from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles that will fund the cost of the additional deputies that will be utilized during this campaign.

Through out the rest of the year additional efforts will be enacted to enhance motorist safety.

• Directed Patrols = Traffic enforcement on specific roadways.

• Checking Details = Removing unsafe vehicles and unlicensed drivers from the roadways.

• DUI Patrols & Checkpoints = Targeting individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Message Boards = educating the public with safety reminders and upcoming enforcement programs.

• Enforcement Waves = Will be based on speed/crash data and citizen’s concerns.

• Public Service Announcements about driver safety/enforcement at all Stafford high schools and local cable television station and the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office website www.staffordsheriff.com.

• Neighborhood Speed Watch = Specific neighborhood’s roadways checked for speeding violators by traffic volunteers. Speeders are sent an administrative letter from the Sheriff’s Office reminding them of the posted speed limits.

• Speed Monitoring & Awareness Trailers = Display the driver’s speed while recording traffic counts and speed data for analysis.