Virginia State Police will have extra troopers assigned to patrol Interstate 64 on Thursday and Friday this week.
The traffic-enforcement operation will take place on all 299 miles of I-64 in Virginia.
The initiative will focus on distracted driving, impaired driving, speed compliance and seatbelt safety.
Forty-six people have died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways so far this year; 13 pedestrians have been struck and killed.
In 2025, Virginia saw a decrease in traffic fatalities. Virginia State Police Captain David Edwards believes that enforcement efforts play a role in reducing deaths.
“We want that trend to continue, and by being visible, troopers remind people of the things safety measures they need to take do to remain safe while driving,” said Edwards, commander of the Virginia State Police Salem field division.
Operation DISSrupt’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.
Operation DISSrupt will focus on:
- Ditch distractions: Virginia is hands-free which prohibits drivers from holding personal communications devices while driving. The use of GPS and phone calls are legal, as long as the device is 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, use public transportation or a ride-sharing service.
- Comply with speed limits: Posted speed limits on Virginia interstates never exceed 70 mph, so neither should your speed. Speed-related crashes claimed 410 lives in 2024 in Virginia.
- Seatbelt safety: Virginia law requires all occupants of motor vehicles to be restrained.
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Crystal Graham
