ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Virginia State Police) – The Virginia State Police Salem, Appomattox, Culpeper, and Wytheville Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 325 miles of Interstate 81 in Virginia on September 19 and September 20. The traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative focuses on Distracted driving, Impaired driving, Speed compliance and Seat belt safety. Preliminary data from January 1, 2024, to September 15, 2024, shows 590 persons have died in a traffic crash on Virginia roadways this year.  601 people died over the same time period in 2023.
“As we head into the busy last few months of the year, we want to make sure that Virginians are getting to their destinations safely,” said Captain Richard A. Denney, Commander of the Virginia State Police Salem Division. “Initiatives like ‘DISS-rupt’ are about getting Virginians back to the basics about traffic safety: making sure they are driving sober, driving safely, buckled up, and focused 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. So, neither should your speed. Speed-related crashes claimed 449 lives in 2023 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.
 
Virginia State Police also conducted Operation DISS-rupt on Interstate 81 from February 12, 2024 to February 13, 2024.  During that enforcement period, troopers cited 343 drivers for speeding, 36 drivers for reckless driving, and arrested 15 drivers for driving while intoxicated.  There were no fatalities on Interstate 81 during the time period.
This 48-hour operation will be held in conjunction with VDOT, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the West Virginia State Police.