State Police aim to ‘Diss-Rupt’ dangerous driving behaviors on I-81
Operation DISS-rupt Launches April 28-29, 2026
APPOMATTOX – The Virginia State Police Wytheville, Appomattox, Salem, and Culpeper Divisions will be conducting Operation DISS-rupt on all 325 miles of Interstate 81 in Virginia on April 28-29, 2026. The traffic enforcement and educational safety initiative focuses on distracted driving, impaired driving, speed compliance and seat belt safety. Preliminary data from January 1, 2026, to April 15, 2026, shows 167 persons have died in a traffic crash on Virginia roadways; 200 people died over the same time period in 2025.
“As we start to approach the end of the school year, we want to make sure the roads are as safe as possible,” said Captain Patrick L. Kirtner, Commander of the Virginia State Police Wytheville Division. “Initiatives like ‘DISS-rupt’ are aimed at getting Virginians back to the basics about traffic safety: making sure they are driving sober, driving safely, buckling up, and focusing on the task ahead.”
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 410 lives in 2024 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. Buckle up, it’s the law.
Virginia State Police also conducted Operation DISS-rupt on Interstate 81 from July 2, 2025, to July 3, 2025. During that enforcement period, troopers cited 205 drivers for speeding, 76 drivers for reckless driving, and arrested one driver for driving while intoxicated. There were no fatalities on Interstate 81 during that time period.
*2024 Virginia Crash Facts, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
April 21, 2026 @ 6:54 pm
They clearly don’t have enough to do. It would be better for them to spend their time patrolling neighborhoods and the streets of Virginia’s cities and towns, focusing on real crime.
During the height of the Fourth of July travel period, somewhere between 80,000 and 90,000 vehicles move along Interstate 81. You’re telling us out of that massive number, only 281 drivers were cited for speeding, one was arrested for driving while intoxicated, and there were no fatalities. For figures that low, a bit of congratulations seems appropriate. Virginians, by and large, deserve some credit for keeping things under control.
Instead of targeting ordinary folks just trying to get where they’re going, those officers in blue would be better put to work where it matters, in local Virginia communities, addressing genuine problems. If there’s time to “DISS-rupt”, then put that effort into patrolling places like Pulaski and keeping neighborhood streets safe, rather than disrupting law-abiding travelers.
Eugene Mathena