Virginia’s 5th “Operation Air, Land and Speed” Effort Yielded Many Citations

Virginia State Police stepped up their patrol this past weekend in the state's 5^th effort of Operation Air, Land and Speed.  Troopers on I-66 wrote 348 speeding tickets, 82 reckless driving tickets, 17 safety belt tickets and arrested 2 people for DUI and 6 people for drug and/or felony offenses.  I-64 Troopers cited 1,809 speeders, 312 reckless drivers, 135, safety belt violators and arrested 7 drunk drivers and 19 others on drug and/or felony offenses.

Redskins’ First Draft Pick Due in Court

Trent Williams, 22-year-old first round draft pick for the Washington Redskins, was ticketed for reckless driving on June 6^th.  Williams was allegedly driving his 2010 Porsche 90 mph in a 55 mph zone.  The rookie offensive lineman is reportedly looking forward to his day in court.  He is expected in Fairfax County Court next week.  Williams signed a 10-year, $60 million contract (more that $36.5 million guaranteed) with the Redskins in late July.  

I-95 Shut Down after Truck Hauling Oxygen Overturns, Driver Charged with Reckless Driving

I-95, south of Richmond, was shut down early Tuesday morning after a truck carrying over 100 canisters of oxygen and argon crashed and overturned.  There was concern that the canisters may leak gases and turn into projectiles.  The interstate was reopened around 9am.  Carl Vandevender, a 52-year-old Richmond man, was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and police have charged him with reckless driving.

New Criminal and Traffic Law for Virginia Effective July 1, 2010

The new legislation passed in the 2010 Session of Virginia General Assembly went into effect July 1, 2010.  Below are some of the highlights as related to traffic and criminal legislation (for a complete list visit http://www.vsp.state.va.us/downloads/Selected_Acts_2010.pdf):

A person who operates a school bus transporting children while possessing/consuming an alcoholic beverage will not be guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

Law enforcement may question DUI/DWI suspects about the location of their last drink consumed for communication of that information to the ABC Board.

Juveniles may be found delinquent of possession of alcohol whereas before a case for such could only be deferred and dismissed upon completion of terms.

Restricted driving privileges for children found delinquent for offenses involving alcohol, firearms and truancy are eliminated when school provided transportation is available.

Certificates of analysis (ie BAC certificates) are admissible at preliminary hearings without testimony of person who prepared report and a fee of $50 will be assessed to any defendant who requires testimony of such person and is found guilty.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted to and from a place of religious worship 1 day per week.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted to and from appointments required by Division of Child Support Enforcement, Department of Social Services and for court-ordered programs for child support.

Driving suspensions for DUI/DWI will run consecutively with any other court-ordered suspension for DUI/DWI.

DUI/DWI suspects may be arrested whether or not offense occurred in the officer's presence.

A vehicle driven by a person without a license who has previously been convicted of driving without a license, may be impounded for 3 days.

Restricted driving privileges may be granted for drivers without a valid out-of-state license upon the same conditions as if that person held a valid Virginia license.

The maximum highway speed limit increases from 65 mph to 70 mph.

Charges Dismissed in Accident that Injured Senator’s Wife

Fairfax General District Court Judge Ian O'Flaherty dismissed the reckless driving case against the driver of the 18-wheeler who collided with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's wife in early March.  Brendan Harold, defense attorney for Alan Snader (the driver), effectively argued that the prosecution had no proof that his client had caused the accident.  Snader claimed that Reid had suddenly cut in front of him causing the collision. 

Fairfax Reckless Driving Accident Injures Senate Leader’s Family

Landra Reid, wife of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was seriously injured in an accident in Fairfax County yesterday.  She broke her neck, back and nose and while expected to recover, she was in serious condition overnight at the hospital.  The couple's daughter, Lana Barringer, suffered minor injuries to her neck and face and was released from the hospital.  The accident happened on Interstate 95 Thursday afternoon.  Barringer's vehicle was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer and then forced into the next lane where it hit another car.  None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.  The driver of the tractor-trailer was charged with reckless driving.

Street Race Claims the Life of an Innocent Bystander

Melinda Woodward, a 38-year old woman from Abingdon, VA was stuck and killed while making a left turn at a green light onto Gate City highway in Bristol, VA.  It is believed Woodward was victim of a high-speed street race between a silver Pontiac Trans Am and a red Mustang.  The Trans Am driver, 19-year old Joseph Rose, and his passenger were treated and released by Bristol Regional Medical Center.  The Mustang fled the scene and police are searching for the driver.  Police are also reconstructing the accident to prove racing was involved. 

Chesterfield Crash Involving Fire Truck Injures Two

A ringing cell phone is reportedly the distraction that caused Mauri Phillips, 20, to plow into a stationary fire truck in Chesterfield on Friday.  Phillips ran her 1990 Ford Contour into the back of a fire truck that was responding to a car fire on Chippenham Parkway.  Phillips and one of the firefighters were injured and taken to the hospital.  The firefighter is said to have minor injuries and Phillips was saved from serious injury as she was wearing her seatbelt.  Phillips has been charged with reckless driving and failure to move over for an emergency vehicle.

Loudoun County Man Wanted by Police

The Loudoun County Sheriff's office is requesting anyone with information on the whereabouts of Joseph S. Schrotz contact them.  Schrotz is wanted for grand larceny, disregarding a signal to stop, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license as a result of a December 11^th pursuit of a stolen car.  Loudoun County Crime Solvers can be reached at 703-777-1919.

Vikings’ Peterson Cited for Speeding at 109 MPH

Adrian Peterson, the star running back of the Minnesota Vikings, was given a speeding ticket in Minneapolis over the weekend when he was clocked going 109 mph in a 55 mph zone.  Peterson is quoted by The Associated Press he "got a little speeding ticket.  I need to be more aware of the speed I was going and not let it happen again."  Lucky for him, he was not driving in Virginia or he would be facing a class 1 misdemeanor charge of reckless driving!

HOV Crackdown in Arlington Results in $1,000 Ticket for One Motorist

A driver in Arlington County was ticketed with a fourth offense HOV violation on Thursday during the second wave of the county’s Operation HOV Crackdown.  HOV violators are one of the biggest complaints made to police in the jurisdiction, so tougher fines and ramped up patrol are out to stop the trend.  First time offenders face a $150 fine, second time offenders a $250 fine, third time offenders a $500 and fourth time offenders a $1000 fine. 

Florida Driver Faces Up To 5 Years in Prison for Texting While Driving Accident

Stephen Wade Horne, 26-year old Bartow, FL man, was arrested Monday on a class 3 felony charge of reckless driving with serious bodily injury.  Horne is accused of running his car into 20-year-old Emmanuel Mejia in August while sending a test message from his cell phone.  Mejia was emptying trash cans along the roadside when he was hit by Horne.  Mejia has lost both of his legs and a portion of 2 of his fingers from the accident.  Mejia "[thanks] God [he is] still alive and well."

Motorcyclist Dies While Attempting to Elude Police at 100 MPH

Erwin Brower, a 27-year old Henrico County man, died Saturday while attempting to elude police on I-95.  Brower was reportedly one of three bikes traveling more than 100 mph with Virginia State Police in pursuit.  He died at the scene after crashing his bike, a Suzuki GSX-R600 into a guardrail.  One of the other riders was arrested later at him home and is set to appear in Colonial Heights court on January 26^th.

State Police in Full Force in NOVA

Virginia State Police were out in full force on Wednesday on I-95 between Dumfries and the Pentagon.  Police were targeting HOV violators.  They cited 71 HOV violators and 16 other traffic violations, including 1 DUI. 

Two-State Chase Ends in Auto Accident with Virginia State Trooper

Andre Tyrone Washington was initially signaled to stop by police in Maryland Wednesday morning for a routine traffic stop.  When Washington continued to drive into across the state line, Virginia State Police picked up the pursuit.  Washington was finally taken into custody in Fairfax County after his car rammed into a police cruiser.  He was taken to Fairfax Inova Hospital for injuries and was charged with resisting arrest, felony eluding, reckless driving, damaging state property and assault. 

Culpeper Man Arrested in Spotsylvania Following Police Pursuit

Dominick Wise, a 25 year-old Culpeper man is facing charges in Culpeper and Spotsylvania Counties after an incident Sunday that spanned the two counties.  Wise allegedly drove from Culpeper to Spotsylvania with his girlfriend in the car against her will.  Officers first attempted to stop Wise after he ran a stop sign in Culpeper.  Wise's girlfriend then called police to inform them of the vehicle's whereabouts and Wise was arrested.  He his facing felony eluding, driving on suspended license, reckless driving and failure to stop at a stop sign in Culpeper; and, kidnapping and driving on a suspended license in Spotsylvania.

Motorcycle Rider Dies Following Reckless Driving Accident

Philip Thompson, 50 a year-old Dry Fork, VA man died Friday after his motorcycle hit a Ford Pickup.  The driver of the pickup, 22 year-old Tony Pritchett, Jr. was cited for reckless driving.

New Studies Rank Texting above DUI on Scariest Driving Habit Scale

Recent studies are now revealing that texting while driving slows drivers' reaction times as low as driving while intoxicated.  The comparison between texting and drinking while driving is not a huge surprise given certain driving behavior is often common in both, for example swerving. 

Texting while driving became illegal in Virginia in July of this year.

Labor Day Weekend Police Presence in Virginia

The Labor Day weekend begins tonight at 12:01 and across Virginia police will be out enforcing driving laws to ensure a safe holiday.  With so many motorists on the road for the end of summer celebration, Labor Day weekend is notorious for accidents and arrests.  Virginia State Police encourage drivers to make safe choices behind the wheel.

Virginia Reckless Driving Accidents Claim 3 Lives in 1 Day

Caitlyn Johnson, a 20-year old woman from Dinwiddie County died after an accident involving an unhitched utility trailer.  The 17-year old driver of the SUV that was pulling the trailer was cited with Reckless Driving.

Christopher Ray, a 22-year old man died following an accident in Southampton County.  Ray reportedly swerved to avoid a tree in the road and lost control of his vehicle.

Teicher Thomas, a 38-year old man died following an accident in Charles City County where he lost control of his SUV.

Could there be a Safe Way to Text and Drive

Many people in today's society are addicted to their communication devices; thus, it comes as no surprise that society is now searching for safer, legal ways to use these devices while driving.  Since texting while driving became illegal in Virginia on July 1, 2009, one northern Virginia man is looking to a product called ZoomSafer to assist him in receiving the ever important text message or phone call between work and home.

Check it out!  Could it work?

Important Driving Rules Regarding School Buses

With schools across the state starting classes in the coming weeks drivers are encouraged to be cautious around school buses.  While failure to do so obviously puts our children at risk, many people do not understand the legal implications such can have.  Disregarding the Virginia laws involving school buses can result in reckless driving charges.

Proposal to Double Traffic Fines on I-81 in Shenandoah County

Shenandoah County Sheriff Timothy Carter has requested that a portion of I-81 be designated as a highway safety corridor (HSC).  Del. Todd Gilbert (Woodstock) has submitted the formal request to VDOT who will complete an analysis.  If the request is granted, the HSC designation will award Shenandoah County the ability to double fines for certain traffic offenses committed within the area.

Virginia's New Texting While Driving Law

New Virginia law, passed July 1, 2009, makes texting while driving illegal.  If caught texting while driving in Virginia, drivers now face a $20 fine for a first offense and a $50 fine for subsequent offenses. 

How long does the Virginia DMV report convictions and demerit points on a Virginia driving record?