Fairfax County police have issued more than 25,000 citations and warnings through the first two waves of the Road Shark traffic enforcement campaign, according to a WJLA report linked by the department's official account on Thursday, Aug. 13.

That number is still climbing. Wave 3, which we reported Wednesday, Aug. 12 is deploying officers around the clock on McLean-area roads, runs through Sunday, Aug. 16.

Enforcement numbers

The 25,000-plus figure breaks down across two earlier enforcement periods: Wave 1 in April produced 13,520 citations and warnings, and Wave 2, which ran June 8–14, added another 11,791. Of that second wave's total, 5,740 were citations and 6,051 were warnings, according to the Fairfax Times.

Wave 2's haul represented a roughly 43% jump over the same period in 2025, when officers logged just over 8,250 citations and warnings.

What officers are targeting

Speeding remains the most common violation. Officers and Virginia State Police troopers working the joint operation are also watching for reckless driving, red-light violations, unsafe lane changes and DUI.

2nd Lt. Gerhard of FCPD's Traffic Safety Section told WJLA on Tuesday, Aug. 11, that the campaign is targeting aggressive and dangerous driving across the county. The department said the effort was prompted in part by five motorcyclist deaths on Fairfax County roads in 2026.

What's next

Wave 3 results won't be available until after the enforcement period ends Sunday. A fourth and final Road Shark wave is scheduled for October, according to reports.

Police are reminding drivers to slow down and give officers space when approaching traffic stops. Pedestrians should use designated crosswalks and stay alert during the enforcement period.

Residents can report dangerous driving to FCPD's non-emergency line at 703-691-2131.