<p>Virginia State Police www.vsp.virginia.gov Media Release</p><p>News Release No. 18 For Immediate Release: September 13, 2013</p><p>DANGEROUS DRIVERS WILL BE THE TARGET OF SATURDAY’S OPERATION AIR, LAND & SPEED</p><p>RICHMOND – In its continuing efforts to reinforce safe driving behaviors and habits on Virginia’s interstates, Virginia state police will be conducting its latest Operation Air, Land & Speed traffic safety campaign on approximately 870 miles of interstate this Saturday (Sept. 14, 2013). Virginia troopers will be saturating the entire lengths of Interstates 81, 95, 85 and 64 during the one-day, enforcement initiative.</p><p>“This traffic safety effort follows up on our enforcement operations deployed during the Labor Day holiday weekend,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Saturdays in September typically see an increased volume in interstate traffic due to college football games and numerous festivals and events occurring across the state. More traffic typically leads to more crashes, injuries, deaths and other serious traffic-related incidents. Therefore, this operation is both about enforcement and education. We want to stop those drivers putting others at risk, while at the same getting individuals to think twice about their own driving behaviors and make safer choices while on the road.”</p><p>The comprehensive enforcement project is aimed at preventing and reducing traffic crashes and deaths on Virginia’s interstates caused by impaired, reckless, distracted and/or speeding motorists. In addition, state police will also be on the lookout for unbuckled adults, teens and children as National Child Passenger Safety Week begins Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013.</p><p>Regional Media Contacts Statewide (804)674-2789 Richmond (804)553-3494 Culpeper (540)829-7713 Appomattox (434)352-7128 Wytheville (276)228-3131 Chesapeake (757)424-6827 Salem/Roanoke (540)375-9598 Fairfax (804)674-2789 Find VSP on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaStatePolice Virginia State Police www.vsp.virginia.gov Media Release State police operational duties on other interstates, primary and secondary roads will not be affected during the campaign. Funding for the enforcement initiative is provided through federal highway safety monies. Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.</p><p>With the increased presence of troopers on the interstates, motorists are reminded to comply with Virginia’s “Move Over” law. The state law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road.</p><p>Regional Media Contacts Statewide (804)674-2789 Richmond (804)553-3494 Culpeper (540)829-7713 Appomattox (434)352-7128 Wytheville (276)228-3131 Chesapeake (757)424-6827 Salem/Roanoke (540)375-9598 Fairfax (804)674-2789 Find VSP on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaStatePolice</p>