Nearly two hundred truck drivers were surprised — in a good way — to be pulled over by various law enforcement agencies in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Monday.
Starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, December 17, officers pulled over 180 truck drivers on eastbound I-264 at the Old Toll Plaza for a very unique type of safety enforcement detail.
When drivers pulled over, officers informed them that they weren’t going to be inspected — they were instead going to be treated to donuts, Chick-fil-A, and other goodies as a sign of appreciation for their safe driving.
It’s all part of the 25th Annual Southside Commercial Vehicle Driver Appreciation Day.
25th ANNUAL SOUTHSIDE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVER APPRECIATION DAYOn Monday, December 17, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. till…
Posted by Drive Safe Hampton Roads on Sunday, December 16, 2018
According to organizers, “This event is held during the busy holiday season to promote highway safety. Drive Safe Hampton Roads and other Hampton Roads’ law enforcement motor carrier teams come together to distribute goodies during an “alternate type” of roadway safety regulation stop. Drive Safe Hampton Roads (DSHR) is a nonprofit regional coalition whose mission is to increase the community’s involvement and awareness of traffic safety issues, and reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on our roadways.”
Suffolk police officer Forest Godwin created the even 25 years ago. He told 13NewsNow that they wanted to give the truckers a nice surprise to show how much they are appreciated: “Yes, somebody else is thinking about the truck drivers in a positive way instead of a negative way … These guys have to deal with a lot of things and it’s difficult and they’ve got to give it 110%.”
Agencies participating in the event include the Suffolk Police Department, the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Beach Police Department Motor Carrier Safety Unit, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Check out the video below to see the “alternate enforcement” activities in action.