State Troopers on patrol. (WTVR / July 10, 2009)
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Troopers are out on I-95. Are you watching your speeds?
RICHMOND, VA -
Virginia State Police troopers launched the third "Operation Air, Land and Speed" initiative in 8 months along I-95 and I-81. The 2 day crackdown is in response to 10 fatalities on Virginia roads over the July 4th holiday weekend.
Colonel W. Steven Flaherty says the increased patrols and visible enforcement during the campaign will serve as deterrents to irresponsible and potentially deadly driving behaviors. Troopers will be looking out for any safety violations, but in particular alcohol and seat belt usage - which both contributed to deaths in last weekend's crashes.
The most recent Operation Air, Land and Speed project on I-81 and I-95 was in May 2009. The enforcement effort produced a total of 6,853 arrests and summonses. On I-81, troopers stopped 2,138 speeders and 234 reckless drivers. They also took six drunk drivers off the interstate and made 12 felony arrests. Total violations and arrests on I-81 during the Sunday, May 17, and Monday, May 18, 2009, enforcement blitz were 3,725.
On I-95, troopers stopped 1,386 speeders and 345 reckless drivers. They also took three drunk drivers off the interstate and made 11 felony arrests. Total violations and arrests on I-95 were 3,128 for the May Operation Air, Land and Speed initiative.
There were zero traffic fatalities on either interstate during the operation.
This is the eleventh time since 2006 that Operation Air, Land and Speed has focused on the I-81 and I-95 interstate corridors. A total of 19 operations have been conducted on Virginia interstates statewide since the campaign's inception in 2006 and have yielded 97,897 total summonses and arrests.
With additional troopers on the roads for this traffic safety campaign, state police reminds motorists to comply with Virginia's "Move Over" law. This state law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road.
The comprehensive enforcement project utilizes troopers, supervisors, motorcycle units and motor carrier troopers. State police operational duties on other interstates, primary and secondary roads are not affected during the operation. Funding for the enforcement initiative is provided through federal highway safety monies.
Colonel W. Steven Flaherty says the increased patrols and visible enforcement during the campaign will serve as deterrents to irresponsible and potentially deadly driving behaviors. Troopers will be looking out for any safety violations, but in particular alcohol and seat belt usage - which both contributed to deaths in last weekend's crashes.
The most recent Operation Air, Land and Speed project on I-81 and I-95 was in May 2009. The enforcement effort produced a total of 6,853 arrests and summonses. On I-81, troopers stopped 2,138 speeders and 234 reckless drivers. They also took six drunk drivers off the interstate and made 12 felony arrests. Total violations and arrests on I-81 during the Sunday, May 17, and Monday, May 18, 2009, enforcement blitz were 3,725.
On I-95, troopers stopped 1,386 speeders and 345 reckless drivers. They also took three drunk drivers off the interstate and made 11 felony arrests. Total violations and arrests on I-95 were 3,128 for the May Operation Air, Land and Speed initiative.
There were zero traffic fatalities on either interstate during the operation.
This is the eleventh time since 2006 that Operation Air, Land and Speed has focused on the I-81 and I-95 interstate corridors. A total of 19 operations have been conducted on Virginia interstates statewide since the campaign's inception in 2006 and have yielded 97,897 total summonses and arrests.
With additional troopers on the roads for this traffic safety campaign, state police reminds motorists to comply with Virginia's "Move Over" law. This state law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road.
The comprehensive enforcement project utilizes troopers, supervisors, motorcycle units and motor carrier troopers. State police operational duties on other interstates, primary and secondary roads are not affected during the operation. Funding for the enforcement initiative is provided through federal highway safety monies.
I was wrongfully pulled over while other cars were passing me! VA. state police are not honest! But God knows! Lockhart.
Roger @ 9:14 AM EDT, Jul 18, 2009
I was traveling back from New Jersey and the congestion caused by the police pulling people over was more of a hazard than the speeders. This is a useless event design to provide money for the state. Va has to increase it speed limits on interstates.
Robert @ 9:39 PM EDT, Jul 12, 2009