If you are travelling Interstate 66, be aware that police are conducting enforcement efforts on all 76 miles in Virginia this weekend.
The Fairfax and Culpeper divisions of Virginia State Police will be taking part in Operation DISS-rupt, an initiative that aims to target distracted and impaired drivers and enforce the speed limit and seat belt use.
In 2025, 456 people have died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways.
A similar operation was conducted by VSP on I-66 in February with troopers citing 14 drivers for reckless driving and 35 drivers for speeding.
There were no fatal crashes along the interstate during the enforcement period, nor were there any citations for seatbelt violations. However, since the last enforcement, Virginia law has changed to require all occupants of a vehicle to wear a seatbelt.
The overall goal of the Diss-rupt initiative is to reduce the total number of crashes on Virginia interstates for the calendar year by 10 percent.
Target areas of Operation Diss-rupt
- 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.
- Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in Virginia. Always designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride-hailing service.
- Speeding: Posted speed limits on Virginia interstates never exceed 70 mph, so neither should your speed.
- Seatbelt use: As of July 1, Virginia law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle to wear a seatbelt. Previously, the law only required minors and adult front-seat passengers to wear a seatbelt.
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Crystal Graham
