Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Cracks Down on DUI

A combined sobriety checkpoint and saturation patrol in Ashburn last weekend saw five motorists arrested for driving under the influence.

The checkpoint was held December 21 on Ashburn Village Boulevard at Rainsboro Drive. A total of 266 cars passed through the checkpoint with eight drivers further screened. Five motorists were charged with DUI, one juvenile was charged with possession of suspected marijuana, and one person was charged with driving on a suspended license.

In an effort to ensure a safe and happy holiday season the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has stepped-up patrols to get drunk drivers off the road. Since the first weekend of December the Sheriff’s Office has conducted saturation patrols every weekend. The concentrated patrols will continue throughout the remainder of the year.

Deputies conducting a saturation patrol concentrate DUI enforcement in one geographic area and stop any driver suspected of driving under the influence or for any motor vehicle violation. “Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws,” said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson. We will continue to raise public awareness until drivers get the message not to drink and drive,” Simpson added.

The Loudoun Sheriff’s Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Getting Drunk Drivers Off the Road

In an effort to ensure a safe and happy holiday season the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has stepped-up patrols to get drunk drivers off the road.

The Sheriff's Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint Friday evening in Eastern Loudoun. The Sheriff's Office already conducted a checkpoint at the beginning of the month in conjunction with the Purcellville Police Department.

Since the first weekend of December the Sheriff's Office has conducted saturation patrols every weekend. The concentrated patrols will continue throughout the remainder of the year. Deputies conducting a saturation patrol concentrate DUI enforcement in one geographic area and stop any driver suspected of driving under the influence or for any motor vehicle violation. "Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary ompliance with the drinking and driving laws," said Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson. We will continue to raise public awareness until drivers get the message not to drink and drive," Simpson added.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Route 7 Widening Plan

According to a Fairfax Times article, the Virginia Department of Transportation unveiled plans for the widening of Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) "to an underwhelmed public" at the December meeting of the Great Falls (Fairfax County) Citizens Association.

The story further reports that "what is particularly irritating to Great Falls residents is the perception that most of the users of the new turn lanes on Route 7 will be Loudoun County residents using the Georgetown Pike as a cut-through commuter route."

"You are providing cut-through routes for people from Loudoun County," one Great Falls resident said.

Route 7 Update

Traffic Update: 1:45 p.m.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office remains on the scene of a three car crash on Route 7 located west of the town of Leesburg limits. Route 7 westbound is now open to one lane, however, traffic remains slow in the area.

Route 7 Traffic Accident

Traffic Update: 12:05 p.m.

A two vehicle crash on Route 7 near Leeland Orchard Road (West of Town Limits of Leesburg) has the westbound lanes shutdown. The crash is also causing delays in the eastbound lanes of Route 7 in this area. Motorists who travel this area should find an alternate route or expect delays.

VA House speaker Howell denounces Dulles Rail as wasteful, useless

According to Toll Road News, Virginia House speaker William Howell says the Dulles Rail project proposed for the median of the Dulles Toll Road and Dulles Greenway is an "incredible waste of money" and may actually worsen traffic conditions in northern Virginia by encouraging higher density development. Future ownership of the Dulles Toll Road is at stake in the controversy over the $5 billion rail project.


The Web site - which reports on toll roads, turnpikes, toll bridges, toll tunnels and road pricing - also reports that State senator Ken Cuccinelli (Northern VA) calls the rail project a "boondoggle" and "never a transportation project from the very beginning."


Toll Road News further goes on to say that "analysis has repeatedly shown that better transit service at much lower cost can be provided in the Dulles Corridor by express bus, vans and other rubber tired vehicles in special roadway lanes. Such vehicles can provide door to door service, higher frequency and can run express, whereas the train will require elaborate feeder services at each end and will have some 20 stops between Dulles Airport and downtown D.C., causing travel times to be much longer than in managed lanes. The first stage of the rail project for which the federal government is contemplating the $900m grant does not even reach to the airport. It ends halfway between Tysons Corner and Sterling."

Route 659/Belmont Ridge Road Design Public Hearing

VDOT, the Virginia Department of Transportation, will hold an open forum/public hearing for the Route 659/Belmont Ridge Road design on Monday, Dec. 10, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Stone Bridge High School, 43100 Hay Road in Ashburn. (In case of inclement weather and Loudoun County Schools are closed, the meeting will be held at the same time on Dec. 17.)

Loudoun County residents can attend to see the plans for the proposed widening of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) from Dulles Greenway (Route 267) to Route 7 (3.4 miles). The proposed improvements include the widening of the existing facility from two to four lanes on a six lane right-of-way, shared-use paths and the construction of a bridge over the W&OD Trail in Loudoun County. You'll also be able to find out about tentative construction schedules, property impacts and right-of-way relocation assistance.

Residents are encouraged to provide written or oral comments at the hearing. If you can't attend, you can also submit them by Dec. 20, 2007, to Mr. James C. Zeller, P.E., Loudoun Preliminary Engineering Manager, 41 Lawson Road, S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175. You can also e-mail comments to: meeting_comments@vdot.virginia.gov. Reference "Route 659 Comments" in the subject line.

Winter Weather Driving Tips

With snow in the forecast the Loudoun County Sheriff' s Office is advising drivers to pay attention to the road conditions and drive safely.

The area's first prediction of accumulating snow is in the forecast and the Sheriff's Office is reminding residents to clear off their vehicle's windows before traveling. Not clearing your windshield or only clearing a small area is dangerous for both the driver and the vehicles around them. The Sheriff's Office reminds drivers that they could be ticketed for reckless driving if they fail to properly clear their windshields.

"By ensuring your vehicle is properly maintained, drivers can keep safe this winter by driving defensively and always buckling up," said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson. Simpson advises motorists that with the impending inclement weather, drivers should make sure their vehicles are equipped with a well-stocked winter driving kit,which should include the following items:

• Properly fitting tire chains
• Bag of sand or salt (or kitty litter)
• Traction mats
• Snow shovel
• Snow brush
• Ice scraper
• Booster cables
• Warning devices such as flares or emergency lights
• Fuel line de-icer (methanol, also called methyl alcohol or methylhydrate)
• Extra windshield wiper fluid appropriate for sub-freezing temperatures
• Roll of paper towels
• Flashlight and a portable flashing light (and extra batteries)
• Blanket
• Extra clothing, including hat and wind-proof pants, and warm footwear
• First-aid kit
• Snack bars or other "emergency" food and water
• Matches and emergency candles - only use with a window opened toprevent build-up of carbon monoxide.
• Road maps
• "Call Police" or other help signs or brightly colored banners.

The Sheriff's Office also reminds motorists to stay safe this winter by following these tips:

• Always keep the gas tank topped off. When it gets to half, fill it up.
• Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make the trip, ensure someone is aware of your route of travel.
• Carry a cellular phone. Your cell phone can be used during emergencies and for notifying those expecting your arrival in case there are weather delays.
• Always buckle-up. Your seat belt can be the best protection against drivers who are tense and in a hurry because of weather conditions.
• Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights - even the hood and roof - before driving.
• Pay attention. Don't try to out-drive the conditions. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
• Leave plenty of room for stopping.
• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows - stay back a safestopping distance and don't pass on the right.
• Know the current road conditions. 511Virginia.org. For statewide highway information 24-hours-a-day, call the Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD.
• Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time to stop in adverse conditions.
• Watch for slippery bridges, even when the rest of the pavement is ingood condition. Bridges will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.
• Don't use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Don't get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that your four-wheel drive vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won't help you stop any faster. Many 4x4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don't get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle's traction. Your 4x4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.
• Do not pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump brakes in attempting to stop. The right way is to"stomp and steer!"
• Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do. Actions by cars and trucks will alert you quicker to problems and give you a split-second extra time to react safely.
• Remember that trucks are heavier than cars. Trucks take longer to safely respond and come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Go slow!

Let's all remember this good advice from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and make this winter/holiday season a safe one on Loudoun County roadways!