Motorists on Route 15 and Route 50 Reminded "It’s Not a Race" -- Create Space

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police teamed up Feb. 8, in a campaign to curb aggressive and impaired driving in the area of Route 15 and Route 50 in Loudoun County. 

 

During the weeklong traffic safety enforcement effort, deputies and troopers cited 134 drivers for speeding and another 15 drivers for reckless driving along the two highway corridors. According to the Virginia State Police, the average speed of violators ticketed by a trooper was 70 mph (all in posted 55 mph zones). In addition, one summons for a child restraint violation and one summons for a seatbelt violation were issued. Fourteen equipment violations were also cited. 

      

The campaign was to address safety concerns in this corridor for motorists using Route 15 and Route 50. In recent years the corridor has been impacted by serious crashes from drivers following too close, as well as distracted and impaired drivers. 

      

"The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office supports initiatives in compliance with traffic laws through education and enforcement," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. "This joint program with the Virginia State Police helped address traffic safety concerns to keep our roadways safe," Sheriff Chapman added.  

      

As part of the educational component of the campaign, message boards were placed in the area leading up to the enforcement effort advising drivers 'It's Not a Race- Create Space' and that they are entering an 'Aggressive Driving Enforcement Zone'. 

      

First Sergeant Alvin Blankenship, Virginia State Police Area Office Commander for Loudoun County, said, "This cooperative traffic safety effort was not about how many tickets we could write, but instead about bringing the importance of traffic safety to the forefront of folks' attention. We need drivers to slow down and make responsible driving a priority, particularly if we want these major highway corridors to be safer for all motorists. Simply drive to save lives."

 

Motorists are reminded that if you see a reckless or possibly impaired driver to call the Loudoun County non-emergency line at 703-777-1021 or dial 9-1-1. To reach the Virginia State Police, dial #77 on a cellphone.