As Students Return, Police Flood Highways

In an effort to make sure traffic moves safely as new and returning college students take to Virginia’s highways this weekend, Virginia State Police will increase patrols along Interstates 64, 81 and 95.

Starting today and going through tomorrow night, state police say they will "saturate the entire lengths" of those highways looking for unsafe drivers.

It's all a part of the state police's Operation Air, Land and Speed, an ongoing traffic safety program funded by federal highway safety funds. 

"We selected our enforcement operation to coincide with the additional traffic that is expected as a result of students making their way back to school,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent in a press release. “With additional troopers covering three major interstates, we hope this gives parents one less concern knowing troopers are watching for dangerous drivers. We want our young drivers to get to school safely and to do their part by buckling up and driving distraction free.”

According to the Virginia Highway Safety Office, 38 people ages 16 to 20 have died in traffic accidents in the state since the start of the year. Last year, 39 people ages 18 and 19 died in traffic accidents in Virginia. 

With this in mind, the police are encouraging college-age drivers to be safe behind the wheel. That means no distracted, drunk or drugged driving. It is against the law to text while driving in Virginia. 

The increased police presence along the highways also has officials reminding the public to heed the 2002 Move Over law which requires drivers to merge, leaving a safety lane, when passing a stopped emergency or maintenance vehicle on the side of the road.