Virginia State Police aim to ‘Diss-rupt’ dangerous driving behaviors on I-81

State Police logoOperation DISS-rupt Launches Oct. 21-22, 2026

 WYTHEVILLE – 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 Oct. 21-22, 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 Oct. 15, 2026, shows 553 persons have died in a traffic crash on Virginia roadways; 590 people died over the same time period in 2025.

 

“We continue to promote safety on the roads, and operations like ‘DISS-rupt’ do just that,” said Captain Patrick L. Kirtner, Commander of the Virginia State Police Wytheville Division. “We want Virginians focused on the basics of 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, and 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.   Buckle up, it’s the law.

 

Virginia State Police also conducted Operation DISS-rupt on Interstate 81 from April 28, 2026, to April 29, 2026.  During that enforcement period, troopers cited 176 drivers for speeding, 51 drivers for reckless driving, and arrested one driver for driving while intoxicated.  There were no fatalities on Interstate 81 during that time period.

 

*2025 Virginia Crash Facts, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles