FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and Virginia State Police (VSP) are kicking off the "Road Shark" campaign of 2024 to deter aggressive driving, reduce crashes and change driving behavior.
This coordinated enforcement and education effort, launching Monday, builds upon the success of last year’s initiative, which resulted in nearly 25,000 citations and warnings over four phases.
In 2023, the Road Shark campaign successfully promoted safer roads with the support of FCPD officers, partners, and engaged drivers, accomplishing a significant decrease in traffic-related incidents and a remarkable improvement in overall road safety.
The campaign aims to enhance patrols, focused enforcement, and educational outreach to foster safer road conditions through a partnership between law enforcement and community members, including organizations. These endeavors will help alleviate traffic safety challenges.
This year’s efforts will focus on three key features:
High Visibility Enforcement (HiVE): FCPD officers will strategically conduct enforcement and education efforts throughout the county to deter unsafe driving behaviors. They will target violations such as aggressive driving, excessive speeding, driving under the influence, school zone infractions, distracted driving, and more.
Community Engagement and Education: Law enforcement urges community members to participate in road safety by obeying traffic laws, advocating responsible driving practices, and reporting any concerns to local law enforcement. Additionally, Road Shark 2024 will encompass community engagement, communication, and educational initiatives aimed at informing residents about safe driving practices and emphasizing the significance of road safety.
Data-Informed Decision Making: Fairfax County police officers, in collaboration with Virginia State troopers, will utilize data-driven enforcement strategies targeting areas with high concentrations of crashes. This approach allows them to identify trends, address specific safety concerns, and implement effective measures to alleviate road safety issues.
FCPD first envisioned the Road Shark program in 1999 to respond to increased crashes and aggressive driving in the county; the only goal of the initiative was to reduce crashes and help save lives.
Following the campaign's promising outcomes after intensified enforcement efforts, including significant reductions in speeding violations and other reckless charges countywide, FCPD remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining and furthering the program to keep the roads safe.
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