Virginia State Police to increase patrol efforts on I-95 April 19-21

Virginia State Police will increase patrol efforts on Interstate 95 throughout the state from April 19 to April 21 for the annual "Drive to Save Lives" traffic initiative.

The initiative, which targets distracted driving, will include additional patrols on all 179 miles of I-95 from the border with Maryland to the border with North Carolina. Virginia will be among 15 states to participate in the initiative along I-95.

The initiative, planned during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, comes at a crucial time, as 39 fatal traffic crashes on I-95 were reported in Virginia in 2023, and more than 20,000 traffic crashes and 95 traffic-related deaths were attributed to driver distraction in 2022.

"This traffic safety enforcement effort could not come at a more crucial time," said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. "Just three weeks ago, State Police investigated an incident where two Chesterfield Firefighters were injured on I-95 while at the scene of a traffic crash in Chesterfield County. We want people to know we are serious about making sure focusing on driving is your top priority."

Virginia State Police officials also will take the opportunity to remind drivers of recent changes to the "Move Over" law, which in 2023 was expanded to include any vehicle displaying hazard lights, flashers, or flares. Other motorists will now be required to move over one lane, or at least slow down, when driving near these vehicles.