Video: Fairfax County, Va., Vehicle Spreads Safe-Driving Message
Concerned about 2013 traffic data trends, the local police agency tightens enforcement and adds to its fleet a police car wrapped in driving safety messages.
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Police Department.
Photo courtesy of Fairfax County Police Department.
After studying 2013 traffic data, officials in Fairfax County, Va., decided to ramp up traffic ordinance enforcement and efforts to educate the public about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. On Feb. 21, they introduced a new means for raising public awareness: a 2013 Ford Taurus police cruiser wrapped in driving safety messages.
The Fairfax County Police Department introduced the unique police cruiser in partnership with Transurban and the Fairfax Law Enforcement Foundation. Transurban, which operates the 495 Express Lanes, donated the cost of the vehicle wrap. Many people today instinctively reach for their phone when they hear a text or phone call alert, even if they’re busy driving. The Fairfax County Police Department hopes their police cruiser will act as a moving, safety-themed billboard to remind drivers of how dangerous this practice really is.
Last year, more than 13,500 drivers in Fairfax County were cited for failing to give full time and attention to driving – an increase from 12,434 in 2012. There were 117 citations issued for texting while driving – up from 44 in 2012.
To view a News Channel 8 report on the police cruiser, click on the link or the photo above.
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