PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia State Police are increasing patrols on Route 58 from May 13-17 as part of a safety initiative.

The “Southern Virginia US 58 Safety Initiative” will be conducted along 116 miles of U.S. Route 58 from Emporia to Danville. The goal is to enhance safety of those traveling and conduct traffic safety checks.

“Route 58 is a limited-access highway, so excessive speed and driver distraction put everyone at risk, especially our local residents pulling out from a parking lot or driveway or crossing at an intersection,” said 1/Sgt. S.C. Leslie, Virginia State Police Area 22 Commander.

State police is partnering with local law enforcement including the South Hill Police Department, Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Greensville County Sheriff’s Office, the town of Lawrenceville Police Department and the Emporia Police Department.

This safety initiative comes on the heels of two recent fatal incidents on Route 58 in the Hampton Roads region.

On Friday, May 10, 64-year-old Cecil James Freeman was killed when his sedan was involved in a crash with a tractor-trailer that was attempting to make a U-turn on US 58 near the 5100 block of West Military Highway in Chesapeake, state police confirmed.

The following day, a man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on US 58 in Suffolk,  just east of the eastbound weigh station.