OPERATION AIR, LAND AND SPEED IX RESULTS IN ZERO TRAFFIC FATALITES DURING ITS TWO DAY OPERATION
First Time Interstate 66 Is Focus of Traffic Safety Program
RICHMOND – Once again, there were no fatalities during the course of Operation Air, Land and Speed as the program conducted enhanced patrols during its two-day safety campaign. In addition to the increased trooper presence on Interstate 64, it was also the first time Virginia State Police focused on Interstate 66 on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, 2007. The traffic safety initiative ended with a total of 4,536 summonses and arrests statewide along both interstates.
“This is the ninth phase of Operation Air, Land and Speed, and the eighth time no fatalities occurred during the course of this traffic safety campaign,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “As we continue our efforts to reduce the fatal number of crashes in Virginia, this initiative continues to show the life-saving effect an increase in troopers can have on the road.”
The results of the enhanced enforcement on Interstate 64 concluded with troopers stopping 1,344 speeders and 295 reckless drivers. Along I-66, 662 speeders were cited and 116 others for reckless driving.
“As fatal highway crashes in Virginia continue to inch closer to 1,000, over and over again we see, speed and failing to wear a seat belt are reasons contributing to highway deaths,” said Col. Flaherty. “Virginians must take responsibility and be safe every time they get behind the wheel.”
Statewide, 212 motorists were cited for not wearing seat belt restraints and three were arrested for DUI. Troopers made 25 drug and felony arrests between the two interstates.
This is state police’s fifth, two-day, Operation Air, Land and Speed program in 2007, and the ninth operation since its inception in 2006. Extra troopers patrolled all 75 miles of I-66 from Strasburg to Washington, DC, and approximately 200 miles of I-64 from Staunton to the Hampton Roads area. The previous operations combined with last week’s total have yielded a total of 49,712 arrests and summonses, statewide.
How can you help prevent and reduce Virginia’s fatal traffic crashes? By taking the Highway Safety Challenge. The highway partnership, between the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and State Police, challenges drivers and passengers to take every safety step possible to prevent becoming the next Virginia highway fatality.
Buckle up. Avoid distractions. Share the road. Drive drug and alcohol-free. Obey speed limits.
You can find out more about the Highway Safety Challenge and what you can do to avoid dangers on the road by logging onto the Website, www.safevahighways.org.
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