You may see more police along Interstate 81 Wednesday and Thursday.
Police are launching Operation DISS-RUPT, a traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative that focuses on cutting down on distracted and impaired driving, speeding and seatbelt safety.
Officers will increase their presence on all 325 miles of I-81.
"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%," Virginia State Police wrote in a press release.
At least 553 people have been killed in traffic crashes on Virginia roads so far in 2026, officers wrote.
Operation DISS-RUPT will be on the lookout for distracted drivers holding their phones, drivers under the influence of alcohol, people who are speeding and people who aren't wearing seatbelts.
A previous Operation DISS-RUPT was conducted on April 28 and 29 of 2026.
"During that enforcement period, troopers cited 176 drivers for speeding, 51 drivers for reckless driving, and arrested one driver for driving while intoxicated," VSP said. "There were no fatalities on Interstate 81 during that time period."
