Highway Safety Corridors

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About the Program

Highway Safety Corridor billboard on Interstate 95 in Richmond

Some stretches of highway are more challenging to drive than others. Roadway characteristics, inattention and distractions all come into play for drivers navigating the roadways.

In 2005, 946 people died and 76,023 more were injured in crashes on Virginia's highways.

An Interagency Effort

To combat the more than 900 fatalities annually on Virginia's highways, the 2003 General Assembly directed three state agencies - Virginia State Police, Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Transportation - to create a highway safety corridor program that addresses safety in high crash locations on interstate and primary roads (routes numbered 1 through  599).  

Highway Safety Corridor Regions

The state is divided into three highway safety corridor regions:

Region 1 - West encompasses the entire I-81 corridor and includes 483 interstate miles.
Region 2 - Southeast encompasses the Central Virginia region to the southeast borders of the state and includes 432 interstate miles.
Region 3 - Northeast encompasses the northern part of the state east of I-81and includes 214 interstate miles.

Segments of interstates in each region have been identified as having higher-than-expected crash rates and crash severity, including injuries and fatalities. The three agencies combined crash data with public comment to determine the location of the three Highway Safety Corridors.

Where are the Highway Safety Corridors?

Interstate 81, Montgomery and Roanoke counties

The first Highway Safety Corridor is a 15-mile section of I-81 between mile marker 127, near the town of Ironto in Montgomery County, and mile marker 142, near the city of Salem. Speeding and heavy truck traffic have contributed to this area's designation.

Interstate 95, Northern Virginia

The second corridor covers 11 miles of I-95 in Northern Virginia, from Route 619 at Triangle to Route 123 at the Occoquan River. Aggressive and inattentive drivers have made this road worthy of being named a corridor.

Interstate 95, Richmond

The third corridor is a 13-mile stretch of I-95 that extends from Bells Road in the southern part of Richmond to Parham Road north of the city. This area became a corridor after posting an crash rate more than twice the state average.

Slow down!

Tickets for speeding could result in fines up to $500 in Highway Safety Corridors. Criminal offenses, such as reckless driving or driving under the influence, could result in fines up to $2,500.