Police briefs

staff reports
Published: July 2, 2008

State police focus patrols on Interstates
RICHMOND — Operation Air, Land and Speed returned to Interstates 95 and 81 and yielded eight, 160 summonses and arrests during the two-day enforcement operation which took place June 27, and ended June 28. There were no reported fatalities on either interstate during the course of the operation.

The results from this latest traffic safety effort produced one of the highest record totals for a two-day Operation Air, Land & Speed campaign. The last time the operation focused on Interstates 95 and 81 was in March, where Virginia State Police cited 8,844 violations.

Along Interstate 95 state police cited 4,666 violations. Eleven drunk drivers were arrested and 15 drug/felony arrests were made. State police cited 1,941 drivers for speeding and issued summonses to 581 individuals for reckless driving. In addition, 171 safety belt violations were issued.

This is the seventh time Operation Air, Land & Speed has concentrated on Interstate 95 and 81 since its inception in 2006. It is also the second time in 2008 the two north-south interstate corridors have been the target of the special enforcement.

“Operation Air, Land and Speed has been a successful and effective tool to help keep motorists safe and promote responsible driving behavior,“ said Colonel Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police.

– Press release