A driver in Fairfax County, Virginia, was stopped by police for attempting to bypass a traffic jam by driving on the shoulder. The incident, captured on body camera footage released by the Fairfax County Police Department, shows the driver of a Subaru moving past dozens of vehicles at a standstill. As the driver attempted to merge back into the right lane, an officer initiated a traffic stop.
Immediately following the stop, two ambulances with activated lights and sirens proceeded down the shoulder, highlighting the necessity of keeping the lane clear. The officer informed the driver that their actions had blocked first responders. "And that's exactly why we don't drive on the shoulder right? Now we just blocked the first responders cause now we're on the shoulder," the officer stated. "That was a really great example of why we don't do that."
The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, admitted to having "no good reason" for driving on the shoulder when questioned by the officer. The officer warned the driver that such an action is considered reckless driving. While the department did not specify the exact location or time of the stop, or whether a citation was issued, the notes indicate that reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. Penalties can include points on a driving record, fines up to $2,500, jail time up to one year, or a suspension of driving privileges for up to six months.
The viral video of the interaction has drawn numerous comments online, with many users praising the officer's timing and condemning the driver's behavior. The Fairfax County Police Department has not released further details regarding the incident.