RICHMOND – The Virginia State Police Fairfax and Culpeper Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 76 miles of Interstate 66 in Virginia on Super Bowl weekend (February 10-12). The traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative focuses on Distracted driving, Impaired driving, Speed compliance and Seat belt safety. Preliminary data from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2023, shows 839 persons died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways.
“The weekend of the Super Bowl is an excellent time to ‘tackle’ bad driving behaviors,” said Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations. “Additional state troopers will be on patrol along the entire I-66 corridor to enhance highway safety for all motorists. We ask Virginians to ‘DISS-rupt’ risky driving behaviors by focusing on the roads and by designating a sober driver, especially if your Super Bowl celebration includes alcohol.”
On Jan. 10-11, 2024, Virginia State Police conducted Operation DISS-rupt on 179 miles of Interstate 95 in Virginia. State Troopers cited 120 drivers for reckless driving, 117 drivers for speeding, 33 drivers for violating Virginia’s “Hands Free” law, and 25 drivers and passengers for seatbelt violations (one improperly restrained child). There were no fatal crashes along the interstate during the enforcement period.
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. So, neither should your speed. Speed-related crashes claimed 441 lives in 2022 in Virginia. Simply, drive to save lives.
- Seat Belt Safety: Virginia law requires all front seat occupants of motor vehicles be restrained, and any passenger from birth to 18 years old be properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat or seat belt, no matter their seating position.
During the 2023 Super Bowl Sunday, 23 drivers were charged with Driving while Intoxicated by Virginia State Police Troopers statewide.