The Police Department has a number of programs designed to combat aggressive driving. Some of these programs, such as Smooth Operator, are the combined effort of a number of local jurisdictions. Other programs target a specific driving behavior or perhaps a period of the calendar year, such as the start of school or the holiday season. Frequently citizens ask how they can get involved or report an aggressive driver or a driver with a child not protected by a safety belt or child safety seat. In response, the Fairfax County Police Department has developed:

Traffic Safety Watch is designed to enlist the support of citizens in educating non-users of child safety seats and safety belts and to educate aggressive drivers. Bright yellow Traffic Safety Watch brochures are now available to the public at the district police stations. These brochures provide information on aggressive driving and safety laws pertaining to child safety restraints. There is a postage paid portion of the brochure that can be filled out by the citizen detailing their observation and then mailed to the Traffic Safety Watch program. Participants are not required to provide their names. The Police Department will then send the reported vehicle owner a letter stressing the importance of safety restraints for their children and/or the dangers of aggressive driving. In addition, when the observed violation involves unrestrained child, the letter offers a variety of resources for the parent or caregiver.

This program is also used to generate a letter to a vehicle owner when we receive a phone call at the Public Safety Communications Center, reporting a violation, or an e-mail message reporting a violation.

Public education and awareness are important factors in stopping aggressive driving and the unnecessary risk some children face. With help from the community, through programs such as Traffic Safety Watch, we can make a greater impact.

To report aggressive driving, please click here to fill out the on-line form.