The state of Virginia is experiencing a good degree of success in the ongoing battle against impaired driving. The state's Highway Safety Office reports that the number of crashes involving impaired drivers has been declining for five years in a row.

In 2006, 11,736 accidents involved impaired drivers. This number declined to approximately 9,366 by 2009. In nearby Washington D.C., the number of crashes involving impaired drivers has increased from 259 in 2006 to 309 in 2009. In Maryland, there have been more than 8,000 impaired driving accidents during each of the past five years.

Authorities credit the success of Virginia's campaign against impaired driving to the high number of sobriety checkpoints across the state, increased police patrols and education movements, according to WTOP.

In Virginia, ignition interlock devices that test a driver's breath have been required for drivers caught with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or more since 2004.

In 2009, the Virginia Highway Safety Office reported that of the 9,366 alcohol-related automobile accidents, 290 resulted in fatalities. A safe driving record generally helps ensure that drivers receive more advantageous rates on their Virginia auto insurance