| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Lynda South 804-786-2715 Lynda.South@VirginiaDOT.org Laura Bullock 540-387-5493 |
CO-Safety-1 Jan. 8, 2004 |
VIRGINIA’S FIRST SAFETY ENFORCEMENT ZONE SET
Traffic violations on I-81 between Salem and Ironto could cost motorists more
SALEM – Beginning Tuesday, Jan.13, motorists traveling Interstate 81 between Salem and Ironto should pay special attention to their driving. If drivers are cited by law enforcement officers for traffic violations in that area, they could receive tickets with increased fines up to $2,500, depending on the citation.
The increased fines are part of a Highway Safety Corridor Program created by the 2003 General Assembly to improve safety on designated stretches of Virginia’s interstate system.
“The purpose of this program is to reduce highway deaths and injuries,” said State Police Captain Charles Compton. “With increased enforcement and higher fines, we can enhance safety on this section of I-81, which seems to be a high crash location.”
Starting this week, motorists will see bright yellow signs marking the 15-mile “Safety Enforcement Zone” where increased fines can apply. The zone extends from mile marker 127 near Ironto in Montgomery County to mile marker 142 near Salem. More than 20 12-foot-wide signs will be posted throughout the zone.
The I-81 safety enforcement zone is the first to be designated in the state. The program will expand this spring to include sections of other interstates, which are yet to be determined. VDOT engineers continue to analyze safety statistics about the commonwealth’s interstates to identify stretches with unusually high numbers of crashes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is coordinating with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia State Police to implement the program. Two local public hearings about the program were held in 2003. The first focused on the statistical analysis criteria for identifying highway zones with safety issues. The second hearing focused on the 15-mile stretch of I-81 in the Salem area as a potential safety enforcement zone.
In 2002, 93 people were injured in 177 crashes on this section of I-81. Statewide, 913 people died and nearly 79,000 more were injured in Virginia motor vehicle crashes in 2002.
FACT SHEET
Highway Safety Corridor Program
The increased fines are part of a Highway Safety Corridor Program created by the 2003 General Assembly to improve safety on designated stretches of Virginia’s interstate system.
“The purpose of this program is to reduce highway deaths and injuries,” said State Police Captain Charles Compton. “With increased enforcement and higher fines, we can enhance safety on this section of I-81, which seems to be a high crash location.”
Starting this week, motorists will see bright yellow signs marking the 15-mile “Safety Enforcement Zone” where increased fines can apply. The zone extends from mile marker 127 near Ironto in Montgomery County to mile marker 142 near Salem. More than 20 12-foot-wide signs will be posted throughout the zone.
The I-81 safety enforcement zone is the first to be designated in the state. The program will expand this spring to include sections of other interstates, which are yet to be determined. VDOT engineers continue to analyze safety statistics about the commonwealth’s interstates to identify stretches with unusually high numbers of crashes.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is coordinating with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and the Virginia State Police to implement the program. Two local public hearings about the program were held in 2003. The first focused on the statistical analysis criteria for identifying highway zones with safety issues. The second hearing focused on the 15-mile stretch of I-81 in the Salem area as a potential safety enforcement zone.
In 2002, 93 people were injured in 177 crashes on this section of I-81. Statewide, 913 people died and nearly 79,000 more were injured in Virginia motor vehicle crashes in 2002.
FACT SHEET
Highway Safety Corridor Program
Page last modified: Jan. 9, 2004
