Crime & Safety

UPDATE: 'Ride for the Constitution' Truckers Slow Traffic on Capital Beltway

Truckers briefly drive side-by-side at 15 mph on I-495 during rush hour, but no other incidents reported during "Ride for the Constitution" protest.

By Beth Lawton

The Virginia State Police reported about 30 commercial trucks flying large American flags began traveling Friday morning in a convoy on the Capital Beltway, slowing traffic along with a number of pick-up trucks sporting placards with the Twitter hashtag #T2SDA.

After being pulled over by Virginia State Police, the drivers behaved themselves — for a while. WTOP reported that the slow-down resumed shortly after and that the trucks continued to slow traffic heading into the lunch hour, at times moving only 25 MPH and riding side-by-side across three lanes.

The truckers are part of a protest ride called "Ride for the Constitution." 

While not as large as projected, the truckers are driving to protest a variety of issues, including regulations, their pay, gas prices and the current gridlock in Congress. 

The Virginia State Police reported this morning: 

At about 8:50 a.m., four commercial vehicles began driving side-by-side across all four northbound lanes of I-495 on the Inner Loop slowing traffic to 15 mph. Virginia State Police stopped the four tractor-trailers at the 53 mile marker (Fairfax County) and warned them not to impede traffic. No summons/ticket was issued. The tractor-trailers were then allowed to proceed on their way.

At this point, there have no major incidents reported as a result of the convoys.


See also: State Police Prepare for Truckers' Protest on Beltway Friday


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