FAIRFAX, VA. – The Virginia State Police Fairfax and Culpepper Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 76 miles of Interstate 66 in Virginia on Aug. 22-24, 2026. The traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative focuses on Distracted driving, Impaired driving, Speed compliance and Seat belt safety.
Preliminary data from Jan. 1, 2026, to Aug. 15, 2026, shows 443 persons have died in traffic crashes on Virginia roadways. In 2025, 499 persons died during the same time period.*
On Feb. 21-22, 2026, Virginia State Police conducted a similar Operation DISS-rupt on Interstate 66 in Virginia. State Troopers cited 53 drivers for reckless driving, 53 for distracted driving, and 66 drivers for speeding. There were no fatal crashes along the interstate during the enforcement period. Four people were cited for seatbelt violations.
“Putting an extra focus on safe driving, right as school starts and colleges get underway, is strategic,” says Captain Jean-Paul Koushel, Commander of the Virginia State Police Fairfax Field Division. “There’s no better time to promote safety, and hopefully, decrease the number of fatalities we see on the roads.”
Operation DISS-rupt targets the four key causes of fatal and serious injury crashes across Virginia’s interstate system. The operation’s goal is to achieve zero fatal crashes during designated enforcement periods and to reduce the total number of crashes on our interstates for the calendar year by 10%:
- Ditch Distractions: Virginia has a “Hands-Free” law that prohibits a driver from holding a handheld personal communications device while driving. GPS and making phone calls are still legal, as long as the device is mounted and/or not in your hands.
- Never Drive Impaired: Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal in Virginia. Even buzzed driving is drunk driving. Always designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride-hailing service.
- Comply with Speed Limits: Posted speed limits on Virginia interstates never exceed 70 mph, so neither should your speed. Speed-related crashes claimed 342 lives in 2025 in Virginia. Simply, drive to save lives.*
- Seat Belt Safety: Virginia law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle be restrained, no matter their seating position.