The George Washington Foundation:

Past, present, and future bumped into each other. It was a tense moment.

Gingerbread House Contest Theme is Holidays: Past, Present, and Future

Along those (time)lines, Ferry Farm’s 38th Annual Gingerbread House Contest Exhibitors met the theme challenge with entries that were out of this world, so to speak.

Three intrepid judges had the time of their lives as they took a few moments from busy schedules to choose first, second, and third place winners each, from among six categories. They did hard time, as the clock was ticking, but in the end, they came out ahead of their time with some deserving winners.

This year’s judges were B101.5’s Ted Schubel, three-time Olympic gold medalist Jeff Rouse, and Cessie Howell, a leader in the effort to save Ferry Farm from development. Entries had to be completely edible, on a firm base, and on-theme. With intriguing titles like “Christmas Planet Party,” “Peppermint Dragon Kingdom,” and “Nuclear Winter Wonderland” (Complete with its own radiation-detecting blacklight!), judges analyzed the angles of each entry, remarking on creativity, engineering, and ingenuity.

In the end times, 16 winners were selected – with more to come – as exhibit visitors can vote for “People’s Choice” while playing a compelling game of Gingerbread House iSpy. It will be nothing but a good time.

2024 Winners:

Age 2-5

1. Entry #14 Old Time Candy & Futuristic Christmas by Lauren
2. #3 Tiny Hands Make Big Plans by FXBG Preschool
3. #30 Christmas Trees Past, Present, & Future by Noah

Age 5-10

1. #24 Viking Christmas by Teague
2. #15Snow Bowl by Dana
3. #23 Dinosaur Christmas by Lilah

Age 11-14

1. #22 White House by Sophia
2. #4 Little House on the Prairie Christmas by Harper
3. #26 Peppermint Dragon Kingdom by Eva

Age 18+

1. #13 Nuclear Winter Wonderland by Sam
2. #20 Santa’s Garage by Nicholas
3. #2 Vintage Christmas Tree by Missy

Family

1. #16 Freddy Bear Fotos by the Ridout Family
2. #27 Celebrating Christmas Through Time by Kalvin & Drama
3. #17 Past, Present, Future by Lauren & Family

Special Needs

1. #6 Gingerbread Paradise by PEOPLE LLC

Exhibit runs through December 30, during museum hours: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sundays 12 -4 p.m. Visitors may purchase exhibit tickets on-site: $6 for adults, $3 for students (ages 6-17), children 5 & under free. The George Washington Foundation holiday events, including Historic Kenmore’s Wee Christmas Dollhouses and Miniatures Show, are sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank.

Gingerbread House Exhibit Event Address:

Ferry Farm’s 38th Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibit

268 George Washington Way (Formerly 268 Kings Highway)

Fredericksburg, VA 22405

Historic Kenmore’s 10th Annual Wee Christmas and Dollhouses Show

1201 Washington Ave.

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Event Questions:

Contact Allison Ellis, [email protected], 540-370-0732 x11

Contact Lori Pikkaart for event photos, [email protected]

Press Release:

Stafford County Public Schools (Stafford Schools) is pleased to announce the 14th annual Band Together to Fight Hunger, organized by Stafford County’s five high school marching bands, raised $27,593 and collected 3,778 pounds of food this year, equating to 58,333 meals for the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. The culminating event featured individual performances by each marching band from Brooke Point, Colonial Forge, Mountain View, North Stafford, and Stafford High Schools. Nearly 400 student musicians performed in a combined finale, led by North Stafford High School Assistant Principal Brandon Neal, showcasing unity and talent while supporting local families in need.

Contributions at a Glance:

• Total Funds Raised: $27,593 (equivalent to 55,185 meals)
• Food Collected: 3,778 pounds (equivalent to 3,148 meals)
• Total Impact: 58,333 meals

Significant donations were made by businesses and community organizations, including Chick-fil-A, Manhattan Pizza, Outback Steakhouse, and the Student Organization for Change at the University of Mary Washington. Volunteers from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Boy Scout Troop #2220, Girl Scout Troop #15, and other groups played a critical role in the event’s success.

Community Support Drives Success
This year’s contributions reflect the ongoing community need, as many families continue to face food insecurity due to rising costs and economic challenges. The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank will distribute the donations to local pantries and feeding programs. Since its inception, Band Together to Fight Hunger has generated over 400,000 meals for local families.

For more information about Band Together to Fight Hunger or to support the effort, contact Debbie Pickeral at [email protected]. For more information about Stafford County Public Schools visit www.staffordschools.net.

From The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:

ASSAULT:
Quarles Road, 12/7, 2:44 a.m. Deputy P.J. Leon responded to an assault. The victim advised his intoxicated roommate struck him in an unprovoked attack. After making contact with both parties, the suspect was arrested for assault and battery. He would have a new roommate at Rappahannock Regional Jail where he was held pending his ability to participate in a bond hearing.

DUI:
2200 block of Richmond Highway, 12/7, 1:32 p.m. Deputy R. Tully responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised a Mercedes was unable to stay in its own lane while traveling Northbound on Richmond Highway. Thanks to the caller’s quick and accurate updates, Deputy
Tully quickly located the suspect vehicle and he too observed the undesirable driving behaviors. Deputy Tully conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who advised he just got a fresh cut from the barber. Despite looking dapper, Deputy Tully was more concerned with the signs of intoxication he observed. The driver, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a firearm and not wearing a seatbelt. He was charged with driving under the influence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, the traffic lane violation, and to top it off, not wearing a seatbelt. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $1,500 secured bond.

FRAUD:
Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building, 1225 Courthouse Road, 12/6, 3:37 p.m. Deputy E.T. Osborn responded to the lobby for a fraud. The victim advised while conversing with someone online they mentioned a too good to be true subscription where people can earn money after a Bitcoin deposit. After the deposit, the victim’s account was frozen by “customer service,” who advised she would need to pay another deposit to have access to her account.

LARCENY:
Wawa, 105 Garrisonville Road, 12/7, 3:48 p.m. Deputy J.J. Holetzky responded to a larceny. The victim advised while making a quick stop at the business, he accidentally left a bag behind. The bag contained a large sum of cash. When the victim realized he did not have his bag and returned to retrieve his riches, the bag could not be located.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
Stafford Hospital, 101 Hospital Center Boulevard, 12/7, 10:29 p.m. Deputy C.R. Newman responded to a disturbance. Staff advised a male entered the hospital demanding to use the bathroom. Whence inside, the suspect began making a large commotion while arguing with
himself. Considering the signs of being under the influence of drugs, staff contacted the Sheriff’s Office. When deputies made contact with the suspect they knew very well from multiple priors,  they quickly observed he was “definitely on something.” He was taken into custody and during a search incident to arrest, in a predicted turn of events, suspected controlled substances were located. He was charged with possession of controlled substances, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct on hospital grounds. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Home 2 Suites, 3051 Richmond Highway, 12/7, 11:50 p.m. Deputy R.T. Phillippsen responded to
a disturbance. Staff advised a clearly intoxicated female was refusing to leave the lobby. As Deputy
Philippsen entered the atrium before the lobby, he was struck by the strong perfume of an alcoholic
beverage. The source of the fragrance not found at your local Macy’s was discovered to be the
suspect, who explained despite having “consumed beer” that she was “not drunk by any stretch of
the imagination.” She was placed into handcuffs shortly after which were not imaginary. She was
held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans and military spouses in their transition to meaningful civilian employment, is leaving a significant mark on communities like Woodbridge.

The organization provides free, comprehensive assistance beyond securing a job through tailored programs and services, offering veterans and military spouses the tools and guidance needed to thrive in their new careers.

Since its inception, Hire Heroes USA has celebrated over 100,000 job placements and confirmed hires—a testament to its transformative impact. “Each hire is more than a statistic—it represents a life change, a family stabilized, and a community strengthened. This is the heart of our mission,” said Ross Dickman, the organization’s CEO.

In-demand industries such as IT and healthcare dominate Hire Heroes USA’s placements and confirmed hires nationwide. From January 2023 to November 2024, these fields accounted for over 15% of all hires, with healthcare emerging as the top industry for military spouses, representing nearly 17% of spouse hires.

In the Woodbridge area, the landscape is slightly different. Defense contracting and government roles are the most common industries for veterans, followed by IT. Banking, finance, and insurance are also prominent, particularly for military spouses. The organization’s $942 million economic impact is measured by multiplying the number of confirmed hires by the average salary, which for Hire Heroes USA clients stands at an impressive $69,263—well above the national average.

The average Woodbridge client is 41 years old with 16 years of military service. Among them is Ashley Bethea, who found her footing in a new career with Hire Heroes USA’s help.

Bethea, a military spouse and a U.S. Air Force veteran, shared, “Thanks to Hire Heroes USA, I not only got help with my resume but also guidance on how to approach interviews confidently. Today, I’m thriving in a job that supports my career aspirations while allowing flexibility for my family. ”

“After transitioning out of the military, I struggled to find a job that matched my skills,” said  James Thompson, a Marine Corps veteran who also benefited from the program. “Hire Heroes USA not only guided me but connected me with a career that has given me purpose and stability .”

Bethea’s new role as an AF Strategic Transportation Support Manager allows her to leverage over two decades of logistics expertise from her Air Force service. “By providing a platform to further develop my skills in logistics within a dynamic industry, I’m able to directly contribute to National Security,” she explained.

Hire Heroes USA holds virtual career fairs, resume workshops, and mentorship programs.

From The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office:

ASSAULT:
Quality Inn, 543 Warrenton Road, 12/1, 8:29 a.m. Deputy M.N. Sayegh responded to an assault. The victim advised she entered her Uber ride. While inside, the Uber driver assaulted her and blocked her from leaving the vehicle. After the assault she reported the assault to both Uber and the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Sayegh was able to identify the driver and served him with permitted warrants for assault and battery, as well as, obstructing free passage.

Crimson Way, 12/2, 4:15 p.m. Deputy R.L. Hubbard responded to a road rage incident. The victim advised the suspect was following too closely in the area. The suspect would then speed past the victim, nearly causing a collision in the process, only to slam on the brakes in front of the victim. After a brief exchange of words, the suspect assaulted the victim. He was charged with assault and battery, as well as, aggressive driving. He was released by the magistrate on personal recognizance.

DISTURBANCE:
Cambridge Street, 12/1, 2:49 a.m. Deputy N.J. Amato, Deputy W.A. Bolinsky, and Deputy D.S. Jett responded to a disturbance. The caller advised a known juvenile was “raging” at a residence. When deputies arrived, they located three intoxicated juveniles in view of the public. Deputy Bolinsky attempted to converse with the 16-year-old, but he was aggressive and uncooperative, resulting in his detention. While dealing with the 16-year-old, the 17-year-old advanced towards Deputy Bolinsky and was quickly detained by Deputy Amato. Deputy Jett detained the 15-year- old without incident. After the situation was finally deescalated, both the 16-year-old and 17-year- old received criminal complaints for public intoxication, underage possession of alcohol, and obstruction of justice. The 15-year-old received criminal complaints for public intoxication and underage possession of alcohol.

DUI:
Warrenton Road Commuter Lot, 12/1, 1:07 a.m. Deputy C.R. Newman was in the area when he observed a lone vehicle in the commuter lot. When Deputy Newman made contact with the driver, the driver was rather uncooperative and advised he “committed no crime.” Due to several signs of intoxication his statement was incorrect. During their interaction, it was discovered a handgun was within the vehicle, hidden from plain view. The driver was charged with driving under the influence, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit, and refusal. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

West Park Drive, 21/1, 7:57 p.m. Deputy B.E. Vaughn responded to a drunk driver complaint. The caller advised an obviously “drunk” driver drove towards a pedestrian at a local business. Deputy Vaughn would locate the vehicle in question and make contact with the driver, who was rather surprised to see Deputy Vaughn. Despite having signs of intoxication and a recent receipt for multiple alcoholic drinks, the uncooperative driver denied consuming alcohol. His tune changed while before the magistrate, advising Deputy Vaughn “got me.” He was charged with driving under the influence and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

HIT AND RUN:
Area of Garrisonville Road and Richmond Highway, 11/30, 2:13 p.m. Deputy G.P. McCaulley responded to a hit and run. The victim advised her vehicle was struck and damaged by a blue Volkswagen when it merged into her lane. While the Volkswagen raced off, the victim had dash
cam footage of the incident, which included the suspect’s license plate. Using that valuable information, Deputy McCaulley was able to identify the driver and made contact with him. He was charged with hit and run, as well as, unsafe lane change. He was released by the magistrate on personal recognizance.

LARCENY:
Target, 25 South Gateway Drive, 11/30, 1:23 p.m. Deputy M.A. Pearce responded to a past occurred larceny. Staff advised a male suspect browsing the store filled his cart with over $170 worth of items. The suspect would then make his way to customer service and “returned” the items using a receipt from a Target in Oregon. Deputy Pearce identified the suspect and obtained warrants on him.

Stafford Church of God, 649 Garrisonville Road, 11/30, 1:33 p.m. The phrase “God is always watching” did not stop a recent larceny. Deputy R.H. Ryan responded to a larceny in which a trail camera and deer stand were stolen off the property. Deputy Ryan also observed signs of vandalism. The suspects involved were described as juveniles.

Target, 25 South Gateway Drive, 11/30, 3:47 p.m. First Sergeant D.F. Purcell responded to a larceny. A female suspect attempted to get a better Black Friday deal by skip scanning items. She was stopped and the nearly $120 worth of items was recovered. It was discovered the suspect was a frequent flyer at Target, for she was connected to two previous larcenies. The suspect was charged with three counts of shoplifting and was released by the magistrate on personal recognizance.

Greenhill Lane, 11/30, 6:34 p.m. Deputy S.A. Fulford responded to a bike-napping. The victim advised his “Costco special” bicycle was stolen out of his garage. The victim had video of the incident that showed two males stealing the bike. Later, Deputy W.A. Bolinsky located both males on Deacon Road, currently riding on the stolen bike. They would crash the bike and flee on foot. Deputy Bolinsky detained one of the suspects, identified as a juvenile, while the other got away, but not for long. Deputy D.S. Jett would locate the second suspect, an 18-year-old, on Walnut Farms Parkway a short time later. The 18-year-old was charged with larceny, unlawful entry, obstruction of justice, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was released by the magistrate on personal recognizance. The juvenile received criminal complaints for larceny,unlawful entry, and obstruction of justice.

Target, 1090 Stafford Market Place, 12/1, 1:16 p.m. Deputy M.A. Pearce responded to a different Target, but for the same reason as before. Staff advised they had video of a female suspect skip scanning both on December 1st and November 29th. Deputy Pearce was able to identify the suspect and obtained two warrants for shoplifting.

Bounce Back Motorcycles, 1300 Interstate Business Park, 12/2, 3:37 a.m. Deputy C.R. Newman responded to a larceny. Staff advised an orange 2004 Honda CBR 1000R was loaded onto a utility trailer being pulled by a large black SUV. When the two suspects attempted to steal a second bike, they were “spooked” by security cameras and fled with only the one stolen bike. The vehicle was entered as stolen into a law enforcement database.

Walmart, 217 Garrisonville Road, 12/2, 6:13 p.m. Deputy J.J. Holetzky responded to a larceny. Staff advised two males were observed skip scanning multiple items. Staff was able to obtain the suspect’s license plate, making locating the suspects easy for Deputy Holetzky. The suspects advised “it was only a few items.” One or only a few, it was still illegal. Suspect one would provide a fake Virginia identification card. Suspect one was charged with concealing goods, larceny, and possession of a fictitious identification. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $500 secured bond. Suspect two was issued permitted warrants for concealing goods and larceny.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
James Madison Circle, 11/30, 11:42 p.m. Deputy D.S. Jett responded to a disturbance. The caller advised a known party was attempting to enter the residence. Deputy Jett made contact with the late-night knocker and observed signs of intoxication. He was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Manheim Auto Auction, 120 Auction Drive, 12/1, 11:26 p.m. First Sergeant N. Zotos observed a male at the business. Considering the late hour, it was unlikely he was there for automotive assistance. First Sergeant Zotos and Deputy J.A. Martin made contact with the male and observed signs of intoxication. During their interaction it was discovered the suspect was in possession of a handgun in his backpack. The suspect was charged with public intoxication and carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail on a $2,000 secured bond.

VANDALISM:
Popeyes, 253 Garrisonville Road, 12/1, 4:10 p.m. Deputy K.F. Bierfeldt responded to a clucking bizarre report. Staff advised an unhappy customer got rather heated, broke a window, and fled in a blue SUV. Deputy Bierfeldt was provided the vehicle tag and the case in under investigation.

From the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department:

DISTURBANCE:
Cropp Road, 11/28, 1:30 a.m. Deputy P.J. Leon responded to a disturbance. The victim advised an ex-girlfriend egged his door. She would then take a screwdriver to the door knob to force herself into his property. While attempting to have her leave, the suspect assaulted the victim. The suspect was charged with assault and battery, unlawful entry, and two counts of destruction of property. She was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

DUI:
Area of Countryside Drive and Stony Hill Road, 11/28, 10:27 p.m. Deputy P.J. Leon responded to a single vehicle auto accident. A truck had serious damage, including three of the four tires being off the vehicle. Witnesses advised the driver stumbled off after the accident. Deputy Leon located the driver nearby and made contact with him. The driver had severe signs of intoxication and informed Deputy Leon the auto accident was “none of your business.” Due to his level of intoxication and agitated state, deputies attempted to detain him as he resisted. The driver would continue to act belligerently after being detained and threatened to kill deputies. Within the vehicle, deputies located an open beer container. He was charged with driving under the influence second offense within five years, second offense refusal, drinking while driving, two counts of obstruction of justice, as well as, the traffic lane violation. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail pending his ability to participate in a bond hearing.

Area of Courthouse Road and Monument Drive, 11/29, 1:34 a.m. Sergeant A.T. Leckemby was traveling on Ramoth Church Road when the vehicle behind him had their high beams on and veered over the double yellow line. Sergeant Leckemby got behind the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver had signs of intoxication and at first advised he did not consume any alcohol and to “trust me.” His answer later changed and he confirmed he consumed alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel. The driver was charged with driving under the influence and the traffic lane violation. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

FRAUD:
Winning Colors Road, 11/27, 10:11 a.m. Deputy N.D. Fonseca responded to a fraud. The victim advised he received a message on his computer about an error with his investment account. Using the phone number provided in the message, the victim made contact with an individual who advised the victim needed to transfer money into Bitcoin to cancel the error.

Ford T. Humphrey Public Safety Building, 1225 Courthouse Road, 11/27, 2:35 p.m. Deputy R. Tully responded to a fraud. The victim advised her credit card was lost and there were fraudulent charges placed on it.

Apple Blossom Court, 11/29, 12:41 p.m. Deputy C.S. Harding responded to a fraud. The victim advised he received a call from someone posing as a law enforcement officer. The fake officer informed the victim he had missed court in Alexandria and needed to pay using cryptocurrency to avoid being arrested.

LARCENY:
Maryanne Avenue, 11/26, 4:00 p.m. Deputy W.A. Bolinsky responded to a larceny. The victim had a blender delivered to her residence. When she went to retrieve it, it was nowhere to be found.

Walmart, 11 Village Parkway, 11/27, 6:02 p.m. Deputy R.L. Hubbard responded to a larceny. Staff advised a known shoplifter was at the business currently concealing items. When staff attempted to stop the suspect, he fled on foot. Sergeant E.E. West was able to locate the suspect at a nearby business. The suspect had signs of intoxication and was currently drinking a club cocktail. The suspect was charged with larceny, shoplifting, and public intoxication. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

PUBLIC INTOXICATION:
Pillar Church, 2726 Richmond Highway, 11/27, 2:26 a.m. Deputy J.A. Martin was in the area for a domestic report when he observed a female suspect stumbling around. Deputy Martin made contact with her and noticed several signs of intoxication. She was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

Sheetz, 15 Wyche Road, 11/27, 7:02 p.m. Deputy K.F. Bierfeldt responded to a public intoxication report. The caller advised a male was stumbling around the gas station. Deputy Bierfeldt made contact with the suspect, who not only had signs of intoxication, but was wanted out of Maryland. He was charged with public intoxication and fugitive from justice. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

Hair Cuttery, 1495 Stafford Market Place, 11/29, 9:49 p.m. Deputy T.G. Croson responded to an unknown problem. Staff advised a female was beating on the door of the business while screaming. Deputy Croson made contact with the suspect, who he knew from multiple prior public intoxication incidents. This incident would be no different, for the suspect had several signs of intoxication. She was charged with public intoxication and held at Rappahannock Regional Jail until sober.

RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE:
Murphy Express, 450 Kings Highway, 11/28, 9:08 p.m. Sergeant E.E. West was traveling in the area when she observed a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Fredericksburg. A high-risk stop was conducted and the driver was detained. The driver was issued a summons for driving while revoked. The Fredericksburg Police Department is handling the charges related to the stolen vehicle.

TRESPASS:
7-Eleven, 3623 Richmond Highway, 11/27, 5:59 p.m. Deputy K.F. Bierfeldt responded to a trespassing. Staff advised a suspect, who had been previously trespassed, was at the business again. The suspect would also curse at staff and use racial slurs towards them. Deputy Bierfeldt made contact with the suspect and detained him without incident. He was charged with trespassing and using abusive language. He was held at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond.

 

Virignia State Police Press Release:

Preliminary data indicates that seven people died on Virginia’s roadways over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday. The number is a decrease from 2023, when 11 people were killed, and a large decrease from 2022, when 19 people died in fatal crashes.

However, in only two of the 2024 fatal crashes could it be determined that the victim was wearing a seatbelt (one fatal crash in Warren County did involve an ATV). “Virginia State Police is pleased that we continue to see the number of fatalities decrease, although we want that number at zero,” said Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, Interim Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “However, we still are seeing too many people not buckling up when they are in a vehicle. It can save lives. Please wear a seatbelt and make this a safe rest of the holiday season. ”During the five-day counting period, which began at 12:01 a.m.

Nov. 27, 2024, and concluded at 11:59 p.m., Dec. 1, 2024, seven people lost their lives in seven crashes on Virginia roadways. The crashes occurred in Bath, Culpeper, Page, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren and Wythe counties. The fatal crash in Warren County on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 28, 2024) involved an ATV that was off-road.

To prevent traffic deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Virginia State Police participated in Operation C.A.R.E., the Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort. Operation CARE is an annual, state-sponsored, national program during which state police increases its visibility and traffic enforcement efforts during the five-day statistical counting period.

The 2024 Thanksgiving Holiday Care initiative led to state troopers citing 404 people for not wearing a seatbelt, and writing 116 citations for child restraint violations. Seventy-seven people were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (one of which was for Driving Under the Influence- Drugs).

Three-thousand-six-hundred-thirty-eight (3,638) drivers were cited for speeding, and over 1,700 drivers were cited for reckless driving. Overall, state troopers worked 1,182 crashes, 129 of which resulted in injuries. Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.

Press Release:

Transurban North America, operator of the 95, 395, and 495 Express Lanes, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia State Police (VSP) are partnering to launch an innovative defensive driving safety campaign targeted to motorists traveling along interstates 95, 395, and 495.

The campaign uses messaging that urges motorists to drive defensively due to the hazards posed by other travelers’ unsafe behavior, such as speeding, texting, and aggressive driving. The partnership is using results from an initial pilot campaign initiative aimed at Express Lanes users on I-95 and I-495, which showed that positive changes in motorists’ behavior can be achieved through communicating the risk of other drivers’ actions.

“When drivers are aware of potential risks, they’re more likely to adjust their own behaviors and drive more cautiously,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “By focusing on the unpredictable actions of others—like speeding or texting—we’re tapping into a mindset that encourages drivers to stay alert and take greater responsibility for safety, which we believe will lead to lasting behavior change across Northern Virginia.”

“If you are getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, your safety and the safety of those around you should be a top priority,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen C. Brich. “Stay focused on the task at hand, drive the posted speed limit, and pay attention to the motorists around you. Our partnered safety campaign with Transurban, DMV, and VSP is set to remind everyone to do just that.”

The campaign will include radio, digital, and social media advertisements funded by the private partner, Transurban. It will also pilot trial messaging on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) located on both the general purpose and Express Lanes.

“We know, first hand, the difference driver behavior can make in reducing the number of crashes and fatalities on Virginia’s roadways,” said Lt. Col Matt Hanley, Interim Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “We encourage all drivers to slow down, limit distractions, and drive defensively so that everyone can get to their destination safely.”

Through the public-private partnership effort, Transurban, VDOT, DMV and VSP are focused on reversing a deadly trend. Motor vehicle crashes were one of the top four leading causes of death from 2015 to 2019 for Virginians between the ages of 5 and 34, according to the Virginia Strategic Highway Safety Plan. In 2023, 23,309 crashes occurred on Virginia interstates resulting in 139 fatalities, according to the DMV.

“Safety is personal to us at Transurban – both as a company with safety at the forefront of our Express Lanes operations and as community members traveling our region’s roadways every day,” said Beau Memory, President, Transurban North America. “That is why together with our partners, Transurban is putting cutting-edge behavioral research to work with the launch of this safety campaign to move this region further towards its Vision Zero goals by promoting a defensive driving mindset.”

A fall 2023 pilot conducted by Transurban found the message “Watch Out for Speeders” on roadway DMS helped decrease speeding along the corridor by about 2%. While seemingly slight, studies have shown that this would equate to an approximate 8% reduction in fatality risk.

A spring 2022 survey of 400 Washington, D.C. regional drivers commissioned by Transurban and conducted by APCO Insight informed the on-road pilot. It found drivers overwhelmingly feel they are safe on the road despite engaging in risky behavior, like texting and speeding, while simultaneously believing others on the road cannot safely drive and engage in those behaviors. Further, advisory sign messages that warned of other drivers’ dangerous behaviors were ranked by motorists as a top reason to improve their own behavior.

Throughout the defensive driving campaign, continued research is anticipated to expand roadway safety knowledge and effectiveness of driver behavior initiatives.

Together, VDOT and Transurban are currently delivering the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project that will offer new travel options to the millions of customers who travel the Express Lanes network.

For over a dozen years, Transurban has worked alongside the Commonwealth of Virginia to improve the safety of motorists on some of the most heavily-traveled highway corridors in the Washington, D.C., region while constructing complex infrastructure projects.