Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) announced that it will conduct the third wave of "Road Shark," an intensive enforcement program targeting aggressive and dangerous driving.
Lieutenant Tara Gerhard of the FCPD Traffic Safety Division stated, "The goal of this program is to eradicate aggressive drivers who create hazards on the road," adding that "drivers who pose serious threats through running red lights, unsafe lane changes, and drunk driving will be the primary targets of enforcement."
During this one-week enforcement period, police will conduct 24-hour enforcement across the county. The total number of citations and warnings issued during the first wave (April, 13,520 cases) and second wave (June, 11,791 cases) earlier this year has already surpassed 25,000.
According to police, the most common type of violation is speeding, while reckless driving and driving under the influence (DUI) were cited as the most dangerous factors. Lieutenant Gerhard urged, "If you see a police vehicle pulled over or conducting an enforcement stop, please slow down and move over," adding, "drivers need to take extra care to drive safely."
In particular, police have recently been utilizing a dedicated smartphone app to quickly look up driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, issuing citations on the spot using printers in their patrol cars. This has shortened the average traffic stop processing time to around 10 to 15 minutes.
Depending on the violation, fines start at a minimum of $25 (expired registration, improper use of headphones, etc.), while severe offenses such as reckless driving or DUI can carry up to one year in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
This enforcement operation is being conducted jointly with the Virginia State Police (VSP), so state police cruisers will also be frequently seen on major highways. In addition to targeting drivers, police authorities are also running traffic safety campaigns urging pedestrians to use crosswalks and remain alert.