Border to Border

Photo by Don Allen, VACP

Border to Border, an enforcement initiative, coordinated Virginia law enforcement agencies with those of bordering states to promote safe driving prior to the Labor Day holiday.

This year Border to Border, coordinated by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police was held on August 28 th prior to the long weekend. This event marked the 7th year Virginia had undertaken this type of enforcement initiative. The first effort began in 1997 with Virginia and North Carolina and this year, Virginia combined with West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky and North Carolina for this initiative.

At the checkpoint sites, motorists were reminded to buckle up and have their children in properly installed restraints and the commercial truck drivers were checked to ensure they were transporting their loads safely and securely.

During the 3-hour checkpoint, 154 law enforcement personnel from 43 departments set up at 18 checkpoints. They reported the following citations issued:

• 32 Speeding                                        
• 1 Reckless Driving     
• 1 Child Safety Seat Violation
• 9 Child Safety Belt Violations
• 22 Safety Seats checked for proper installation
• 60 Safety Belt Violations
• 154 Other traffic violations
• 71 Commercial Motor Vehicle Equipment Violations
• 18 Overweight Commercial Motor Vehicles
• 28 Trucks removed from service
• 7 Narcotics Violations
• 32 Other Criminal Offenses

Of special interest, 2 stolen vehicles were recovered when the drivers were stopped at the checkpoints. Commercial Motor Vehicles found to be overweight can yield a hefty fine. One overweight truck was fined over $39,500. Trucks are taken out of service for brake failure or worn tires, items that can seriously hamper a truck from being driven safely on the roadways.

Compared with Checkpoints in 2002, more people had their children buckled up and riding in child safety seats this year and there were no DUI's reported showing that traffic safety programs are working.

Conducting these types of traffic stops enhance the safety of the motoring public. Border to Border demonstrates to the public that highway safety doesn't stop at the borders.

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Previous Year's Border to Borders:
2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001