FCPD Launches Aggressive Driving Safety Campaign

Fairfax County Police are launching a new traffic safety campaign this summer to target aggressive driving behaviors. 

Known as Operation Summer HEAT, or Help Eliminate Aggressive Traffic, the program kicks off on Friday and runs through Sept. 3. 

Officers in Fairfax County will target moving violations such as reckless driving, speeding, improper passing, disregarding signs and signals, following too closely and failing to yield the right of way. 

According to Fairfax County, there were 142,263 drivers cited for these types of violations in 2011. That was an increase of 1,621 over 2010. 

“Clearly, motorists in Fairfax County have very busy lives and are often frustrated with heavy traffic. Just one fender bender caused by an aggressive driver makes a difficult situation even worse," said Captain Susan Culin, Commander of the Traffic Division in a press release. "We’re trying to do something about this ongoing problem."

The Summer HEAT program will include three major enforcement waves in June, July and August. Many Fairfax County officers will have a Summer HEAT car magnet on their vehicle to remind the public about the campaign and to be mindful and safe when driving this summer. 

“We’re hoping drivers will make safe driving a habit,” said Culin.