I-66 commuters beware of state police’s Operation DISS-rupt Aug. 16-17

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All 76 miles of I-66 from Front Royal to Beltway being heavily monitored

CULPEPER, Aug. 13 — The Virginia State Police Culpeper and Fairfax Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 76 miles of Interstate 66 in Virginia on August 16-17, 2024. The traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative focuses on distracted driving, Impaired driving, speed compliance and seat belt safety. Preliminary data from Jan. 1, 2024, to August 1, 2024, shows 477 persons have died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways.  In 2023, 471 persons died during the same time period.

“The middle of August is a perfect time to focus on promoting highway safety with schools starting back up, and people getting in their last-minute vacations,” said Captain Donald W Jones, Jr., Commander of the Virginia State Police Culpeper Division. “Additional state troopers will be on patrol along the entire I-66 corridor to enhance highway safety for all motorists. We ask Virginians to ‘DISS-rupt’ risky driving behaviors by focusing on the roads and by designating a sober driver if they have been drinking.”

On February 10-12, 2024, Virginia State Police conducted a similar Operation DISS-rupt on Interstate 66 in Virginia. State Troopers cited 28 drivers for reckless driving and 69 drivers for speeding. There were no fatal crashes along the interstate during the enforcement period, nor were there any citations for seatbelt violations.

Operation DISS-rupt targets the four key causes of fatal and serious injury crashes across Virginia’s interstate system. The operation’s goal is to achieve zero fatal crashes during designated enforcement periods and to reduce the total number of crashes on our interstates for the calendar year by 10 percent.

Seat Belt Safety  Virginia law requires all front seat occupants of motor vehicles be restrained, and any passenger from birth to 18 years old be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or seat belt, no matter their seating position.

Ditch Distractions — Virginia has a “Hands-Free” law that prohibits a driver from holding a handheld personal communications device while driving. GPS and making phone calls are still legal, as long as the device is mounted and/or not in your hands.

Never Drive Impaired — Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal in Virginia. Even buzzed driving is drunk driving. Always designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride-hailing service.

Comply with Speed Limits — Posted speed limits on Virginia interstates never exceed 70 mph, so neither should your speed. Speed-related crashes claimed 449 lives in 2023 in Virginia. Simply, drive to save lives.

For more information about Virginia State Police,

visit https://vsp.virginia.gov/

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