RICHMOND – Virginia will be among 15 states, from Maine in the north to Florida in the south, participating in a multi-day “Drive to Save Lives” traffic initiative along Interstate 95. Virginia State Police will be utilizing additional patrol resources on all 179 miles of Interstate 95, from the border with Maryland all the way to the border with North Carolina. The initiative will take place Friday, April 19, 2024, through April 21, 2024. The initiative focuses on all aspects of safe driving behaviors, to include distracted driving, as April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
“This traffic safety enforcement effort could not come at a more crucial time,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “Just three weeks ago, State Police investigated an incident where two Chesterfield Firefighters were injured on I-95 while at the scene of a traffic crash in Chesterfield County. We want people to know we are serious about making sure focusing on driving is your top priority.”
In 2023, according to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) statistics, there were 39 fatal traffic crashes on Interstate 95. In addition, in 2022 (the last year DMV statistics are available), more than 20,000 traffic crashes and 95 traffic-related deaths were attributed to driver distraction. *
Virginia State Police also want to remind drivers of recent changes to the “Move Over” law. In 2023, “Move Over” was expanded to cover any vehicle displaying hazard lights, flashers, or flares. Other motorists are required to move over a lane, or if that is not possible, slow down, when driving near these vehicles.
