RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia State Police Northern Virginia, Culpeper, Richmond and Chesapeake Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 179 miles of Interstate 95 in Virginia on Jan. 10, 2024, and Jan. 11, 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, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2023, shows 839 persons died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways.
“Initiatives like ‘DISS-rupt’ are about getting Virginians back to the basics with traffic safety,” said Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations. “We are asking Virginians to help state police ‘DISS-rupt’ the dangerous behaviors that put motorists and pedestrians at risk. Additional state troopers will be on patrol along the entire I-95 corridor from the North Carolina to Maryland borders to enhance highway safety for all motorists.”
On Oct. 19-20, 2023, Virginia State Police conducted Operation DISS-rupt on 299 miles of Interstate 64 in Virginia. State Police cited 200 drivers for reckless driving, 362 drivers for speeding, 75 drivers for violating Virginia’s “Hands Free” law and 48 drivers and passengers for seat belt violations. Five drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs (DUI/DUID). During the enforcement effort, there were no fatal traffic crashes along I-64.
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%:
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 441 lives in 2022 in Virginia. Simply, drive to save lives.
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.
State police will also be stationed at the Interstate 95 Rest Area in the City of Fredericksburg during the operation to talk with travelers about the importance of safe driving habits.
In the coming months, Operation DISS-rupt will focus on Interstate 66.
