Border to Border
2001 Border to Border Initiative Successful
by Maggie Haley,
VACP Traffic Safety Specialist
Border to Border is an enforcement initiative
that coordinates Virginia law enforcement agencies with those of bordering
states to promote safe driving prior to major holiday periods.
This year Border to Border, coordinated
by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the DMV Community
Traffic Safety Program Coordinators, was held on August 30th prior to
the long Labor Day weekend. This event marked the 5th year Virginia has
undertaken this type of enforcement initiative. The first effort, in
1997 with Virginia and North Carolina, proved very successful and led
the way for Virginia to add on West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee and
Kentucky.
Border to Border demonstrates to the public
that highway safety doesn't stop at the borders. At the checkpoint sites,
motorists were reminded to buckle up and have their children in properly
installed restraints. New this year was the utilization of DMV's new
IRIS (Infrared Inspection System) which analyzes a commercial motor vehicle's
braking and exhaust systems to help determine if the truck is safe for
roadway travel. Four (4) vans housing the IRIS were in service
for the Border operation.
During the 3-hour checkpoint, 234 law enforcement
personnel from 6 states at 9 locations reported the following citations
issued:
- 50 speeding citations
- 4 reckless driving citations
- 2 DUI citations
- 10 child safety seat citations
- 4 child safety belt citations
- 22 safety seats checked for proper installation
- 39 safety belt citations
- 254 citations for other traffic violations
- 37 commercial motor vehicle equipment citations
- 7 commercial motor vehicle overweight citations
- 17 trucks removed from service
- 19 citations for criminal offenses
Of special interest, 6 people were arrested
on drug charges, 2 others for weapons charges and a felony fugitive was
arrested. Conducting these types of traffic stops enhance the safety
of the motoring public.
During the Labor Day Holiday in 2000, 13
people were killed in motor vehicle crashes on Virginia's roadways. The
Border to Border goal is to reduce that number dramatically.
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