RICHMOND, Feb. 16, 2006 – Crashes went down in the I-81 and I-95 Highway Safety Corridors in Salem and Richmond. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reports that the total number of crashes decreased by 29 percent in the I-81 safety corridor and down by 13 percent in the I-95 section in 2005 as compared to the previous year.

Designated two years ago, the I-81 safety corridor is a 15-mile stretch from Ironto to Salem. The I-95 safety corridor in Richmond, which went into effect one year ago, is a 13-mile section from Bells Road to Parham Road. The third safety corridor, an 11-mile stretch of I-95 in Northern Virginia, was launched last March. Crash trends will be available on that stretch in April. Motorists who speed, tailgate or drive recklessly on these interstate sections could be fined up to $2,500.

“VDOT is encouraged that the program is achieving results -- reducing crashes on some of Virginia’s most crash-prone stretches of interstate,” said Acting VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley. “Our partnership with the Virginia State Police and the Department of Motor vehicles is critical as we continue our efforts to make traveling safer and reduce bad driver behavior, such as aggressive driving, impaired driving and motorists not wearing seat belts.”

Increased visibility, enforcement and patrols by the Virginia State Police on I-81 and I-95 have resulted in numerous impaired drivers, aggressive drivers and speeders being stopped and charged, thus reinforcing the corridors’ mission to achieve a safer environment for all motorists.

“The Virginia State Police is a proud partner of the Highway Safety Corridor program,” Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, said. “Even with our limited patrol resources, the effect of the troopers’ outstanding enforcement efforts in the corridors are reflected in the number of crashes prevented and, ultimately, lives saved.”

Virginia State Police troopers in the I-81 Highway Safety Corridor cited 1,058 passenger vehicles and 90 commercial vehicles for speeding in 2005. A total of 269 reckless passenger and commercial vehicle drivers were charged in the I-81 corridor in 2005; an increase of approximately 13 percent when compared to 2004 totals. Troopers, in 2005, also arrested seven drunk drivers and issued 43 citations for safety belt and child safety restraint violations.

In its first year, the I-95 Highway Safety Corridor also yielded significant enforcement results with a total of 1,118 passenger vehicles and 67 commercial vehicles stopped for speeding. Another 1,581 drivers of passenger and commercial vehicles were charged with reckless driving in the I-95 corridor in 2005. State police troopers took 51 drunk drivers off the interstate as well and issued 588 safety belt and child safety restraint violations.

The 2003 General Assembly directed VDOT, the Virginia State Police and DMV to create a highway safety corridor program that addresses safety in high crash locations on interstate and primary roads. Large black and white signs are posted along the three corridors warning motorists of increased fines if they don’t obey the law. Tickets for speeding could result in fines up to $500. Criminal offenses such as reckless driving or driving under the influence could result in fines of up to $2,500.

Highway Safety Corridor Crash Stats for I-81 in Salem
(15 miles from Ironto to Salem)  


 *The fatality in 2005 resulted from a run off the road crash.

Highway Safety Corridor Crash Stats for I-95 in Richmond
(13 miles from Bells Road to Parham Road)


**Two of the four fatal crashes in 2005 involved pedestrians crossing I-95.

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Page last modified: April 19, 2007