Home Virginia State Police: Driving on Interstate 81 this week? Watch your speed
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Virginia State Police: Driving on Interstate 81 this week? Watch your speed

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Photo: © Wirestock/Adobe Stock

Virginia State Police has announced its next Operation DISS-rupt, which will involve saturated coverage of all 325 miles of Interstate 81 in Virginia, on Wednesday and Thursday.

If you’re driving too fast, driving distracted or impaired, or you’re simply not wearing your seat belt, expect a ticket, basically.

You have been warned.

“We continue to promote safety on the roads, and operations like DISS-rupt do just that,” said Captain Patrick L. Kirtner, commander of the Virginia State Police Wytheville Division. “We want Virginians focused on the basics of traffic safety: making sure they are driving sober, driving safely, buckling up, and focusing on the task ahead.”

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, and neither should your speed. Speed-related crashes claimed 342 lives in 2025 in Virginia. Simply, drive to save lives.
  • Seat belt safety: Virginia law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle be restrained, no matter their seating position. Buckle up, it’s the law.

 

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected]. Support AFP by signing up for our newsletter and/or powering our work with a one-time or monthly contribution.