Virginia State Police is planning to increase patrols and conduct safety checks on U.S. Route 58 this week. The “Southern Virginia US 58 Safety Initiative” will take place May 13, 2024, through May 17, 2024, along approximately 116 miles of U.S. Route 58 from Emporia to Danville. The goal is to decrease traffic crashes and deaths by increasing safe driving behaviors among all motorists.
“We know Route 58 is a popular alternative to Route 460 and Interstate 64, especially during the upcoming summer travel season,” said 1/Sgt. S.C. Leslie, Virginia State Police Area 22 Commander. “Reinforcing the need for all motorists to share the road responsibly and comply with posted speed limits is imperative for everyone’s safety. Route 58 is a limited-access highway, so excessive speed and driver distraction put everyone at risk, especially our local residents pulling out from a parking lot or driveway or crossing at an intersection.”
State Police will be partnering with local law enforcement agencies along this stretch of Route 58, including the South Hill Police Department, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Greensville County Sheriff’s Office, the town of Lawrenceville Police Department and the Emporia Police Department.
This operation is occurring in May, which is the start of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign. According to DriveSmart Virginia, when worn correctly, seatbelts reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%. Similarly, death rates are eight times higher when an occupant is not buckled or restrained. In 2021, Virginia lost 375 individuals who were not buckled up or secured in a child safety seat in traffic crashes, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 2022 Traffic Crash Facts report.