Aggressive Driving the Target of Enforecment Effort on Route 9 Starting Tomorrow

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police will combat aggressive driving on Route 9, starting tomorrow, Monday, May 16, through Memorial Day, May 30, targeting aggressive drivers in a continuing effort to promote highway safety and the efficient flow of traffic for Virginia motorists and visitors.

“Given the high volume of traffic and inherently hazardous nature of Route 9, it is imperative that motorists obey all traffic laws,” said Sheriff Simpson. “This enforcement effort is an excellent opportunity to remind drivers of the dangers of driving aggressively while simultaneously enforcing traffic laws.”

State Police and Sheriff’s Office personnel will utilize a variety of tactics including patrol with marked and unmarked police vehicles and checkpoints. Variable message boards will also notify motorists of the campaign.

With the increased presence of deputies and troopers on Route 9 as part of the safety initiative, 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.

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Loudoun Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police Announce Route 9 Enforcement Effort

Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson has announced a joint effort with the Virginia State Police to combat aggressive driving on Route 9. From May 16 to May 30, both agencies will target aggressive drivers in a continuing effort to promote highway safety and the efficient flow of traffic for Virginia motorists and visitors.

“Given the high volume of traffic and inherently hazardous nature of Route 9, it is imperative that motorists obey all traffic laws,” said Sheriff Simpson. “As evidenced by the crash last Christmas Eve which took the lives of three men, any loss of control on Route 9 can have tragic consequences. This enforcement effort is an excellent opportunity to remind drivers of the dangers of driving aggressively while simultaneously enforcing traffic laws.”

State Police and Sheriff’s Office personnel will utilize a variety of tactics including patrol with marked and unmarked police vehicles and checkpoints. Variable message boards will also notify motorists of the campaign.

“This concerted enforcement effort is to provide a continuous reminder to motorists on Route 9 of the need to make safe, responsible driving practices a priority,” said 1st Sgt. Alvin Blankenship, Virginia State Police Loudoun Area Office Commander. “Complying with the speed limit, buckling up, not driving distracted, and driving drug and alcohol free are drivers’ best defense towards helping make themselves and Route 9 safer for everyone.”

With the increased presence of deputies and troopers on Route 9 as part of the safety initiative, 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.

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Sobriety Checkpoint in Western Loudoun County Tonight, Friday, Sept. 17

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Friday, September 17, in Western Loudoun County. The ultimate goal of the sobriety checkpoint is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws.

The sobriety checkpoint will be held from 10 p.m. this evening to 3 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18. The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

The Sheriff’s Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays.

"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. "If you drink and drive, we’re going to catch you," Simpson warned. The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.

Members of the Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint.

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Close Call Prompts Loudoun Sheriff’s Office to Remind Motorists of Move Over/Slow Down Law

A Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office cruiser was struck by a passing motorist Tuesday night while a deputy was conducting a traffic stop on Route 28. Fortunately no one was injured in the crash. As a result of the incident, however, the driver of the vehicle that caused the crash, a 16-year-old female from Springfield, Va., was charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.

The incident has prompted the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office to take the time to remind motorists of the Move-Over/Slow Down Law.

Section § 46.2-921.1 of the Code of Virginia requires drivers to move-over one lane, if possible, whenever an emergency vehicle on the side of the road displays emergency lights. And, if traffic is too congested to move-over safely, the law requires drivers to simply slow down, below the posted speed limit and be prepared to stop.

Virginia implemented the Move Over/Slow Down law in 2002. In Virginia, the law is a Class 1 misdemeanor. By not following the law, you face possible jail time, and a $2500 fine.

Unfortunately, many motorists are unfamiliar with the law and are unaware that each time an officer makes a traffic stop, it’s one of the gravest dangers law enforcement can face on the road today. More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1999 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways.

When you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights on, slow down, change lanes and save lives.

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Sobriety Checkpoint in Western Loudoun County Overnight Tonight

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Friday, May 14, in Western Loudoun. The ultimate goal of the sobriety checkpoint is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws.

The sobriety checkpoint will be held from 10 p.m. this evening to 3 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday, May 15.

"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. "If you drink and drive, we're going to catch you," Simpson warned.

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

Members of the Sheriff's Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint.

Loudoun County and Leesburg to Join State Police in "Click it or Ticket"

According to the Loudoun Independent, "the Virginia State Police will participate in the 'Click It or Ticket' enforcement mobilization, along with hundreds of law enforcement agencies, including the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Leesburg Police Department. The campaign runs through May 31, 2009, and is aimed at increasing seat belt use in Virginia and ultimately saving lives."

"Special checkpoints and other stepped up law enforcement activities will be conducted during the mobilization.

"According to preliminary figures, in 2008, 612 traffic-related fatalities in Virginia involved vehicles equipped with safety restraints. More than half of the victims involved in the fatalities were not wearing a seat belt, according to preliminary numbers provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Highway Safety Office."

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Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies Recognized

Two Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputies were recognized recently for their efforts in combating impaired driving at the 18th Annual Excellence in Community Service and Public Safety Ceremony.

Deputy Jason Totaro and Deputy Eric Cote were among several law enforcement personnel from the region recognized at the ceremony organized by the Fairfax County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP). The ceremony honors officers in their efforts in curbing drinking and driving.

Totaro has been with the agency for nearly three years and is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Division. In 2008 he removed 26 motorists from Loudoun’s roadways who were driving under the influence.

Cote has been with the agency for three years and is also assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Field Operations Division. In 2008 he removed 23 motorists from Loudoun’s roadways who were driving under the influence of alcohol.

The ceremony was held last Friday morning at the West Park Hotel in Tyson’s Corner.

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Western Loudoun County Sobriety Checkpoint

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office conducted a sobriety checkpoint Saturday evening on Route 9 near Waterford.

The checkpoint was held in the area of Old Stage Place and saw 864 vehicles pass through. Eight vehicles were further screened. There were no arrests for DUI, two people were charged with drug related offenses and 20 motorists were charged with traffic-related violations. A majority of the traffic violations were for driving without a license.

The Sheriff’s Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays.

“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. “If you drink and drive, we’re going to catch you,” Simpson warned.

The Sheriff’s Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving. Members of the Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD assisted with the checkpoint.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Loudoun County Continues Summer Crackdown on Unlicensed Drivers

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its crackdown on unlicensed drivers in the county. The agency has conducted three driver’s license checkpoints this summer. The locations for the checkpoints are selected based on deputies who report a number of unlicensed drivers during their daily traffic stops.

So far this summer a total of 27 drivers were cited during the checkpoints for driving without a license or driving with a suspended license. The latest checkpoint was held August 6 at the intersection of Country Side Boulevard and Carrolton Road from 4 to 7 p.m. A total of 1,335 vehicles passed through the checkpoint with 42 summonses issued. Nine motorists were cited with driving without a license, two for driving on a suspended/revoked license, 14 for no inspection and five for expired or no registration.

A checkpoint held on July 30 on Ashburn Farm Road between Scarlett Rush Road and Marshfield Terrace saw 1,649 vehicles pass through with 27 summonses issued. Eight motorists were cited for driving without a license, one for driving on a suspended or revoked license, six for expired or no inspection and 4 for expired or no registration.

On July 16 the agency conducted a driver’s license checkpoint on Church Road between Aspen Road and York Road in Sterling. The checkpoint had 2,105 vehicle pass through with 27 summonses issued. Six drivers were caught driving without an operator’s license and one person was charged with driving on a suspended license. Another driver was charged with possession of marijuana. Other summonses issued included six people charged with no operator’s license on their possession, one for no county sticker, one for no insurance, one for violation of window tint, six for expired registrations, and five for expired inspection.

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Sobriety Checkpoint for St. Patrick's Day Weekend

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will be out in force this St. Patrick’s Day weekend in an effort to crack down on impaired driving.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint Saturday night from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The sobriety checkpoint will be held in Eastern Loudoun County. Their enforcement efforts will continue on Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, when the agency will conduct saturation patrols throughout the county.

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. “If you drink and drive, we’re going to catch you,” Simpson warned.

The 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.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic