Speeders beware. The police are out in force looking for you.
Police from the Mount Vernon District Station, Franconia District Station, Neighborhood Patrol Unit, Motor Carrier Safety Section, as well as the Motor Squad, are visibly present up and down the Route 1 corridor as part of Operation Safe Corridor, all in the name of safety to motorists and pedestrians alike.
The stepped-up enforcement program targeting Richmond Highway between Interstate 495 and the county line, began Monday and will last for 45 days.
According to police, the reason for the expanded enforcement program is obvious. This year alone, seven people have died as a result of automobile accidents on Richmond Highway. A survey conducted by police on Feb. 22, between 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., over 95 percent of the cars traveling southbound on Richmond Highway at Belvoir Court in the Fort Belvoir area were moving faster than the posted speed limit. Nineteen percent of those cars were traveling in excess of 15 miles an hour over the posted speed limit.
According to Officer Jackie Smith of the Fairfax County Police, no statistics will be made available related to the number of traffic stops for violations until the 45 day period is over.
Officers on Monday began enforcing several traffic codes, including speeding, reckless driving, red light violations, blocking intersections and improper lane changes. Officers are utilizing message boards, SMART trailer, radar, laser, dummy cruisers and unmarked cruisers. Pedestrians also will be educated by the police to walk only where there are proper crossings.