October 27, 2026

Back for More: I-66 EMP Teams Up With DRIVE SMART Virginia to Bring ThinkFast Interactive to Five Local High Schools

Driver Safety Assembly Series Reaches Four Schools in October, With a Fifth Planned for January

Manassas, Va., October 27, 2026 – I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the builder and operator of the 66 Express Outside the Beltway, has once again teamed up with DRIVE SMART Virginia to bring ThinkFast Interactive assemblies to five high schools in Fairfax and Prince William counties during the 2026–2027 school year. Four schools hosted assemblies this month, with a fifth scheduled for January 2027.

Through its sponsorship, I-66 EMP is funding the assemblies and supporting DRIVE SMART Virginia’s efforts to promote safer driving among teens.

The partners first brought the program to three local high schools in 2024, expanded to four in 2025, and increased their commitment to five schools for the current school year.

Presented in a fun game-show atmosphere, ThinkFast Interactive assemblies engage young drivers with fast-paced questions and real-world scenarios that emphasize the importance of using seat belts, following traffic laws, driving sober, and avoiding distractions behind the wheel.

The four October assemblies took place in the weeks surrounding National Teen Driver Safety Week, October 18–24, 2026. The series includes:

  • October 15, 2026 — Chantilly High School, Chantilly
  • October 16, 2026 — Fairfax High School, Fairfax
  • October 19, 2026 — Battlefield High School, Haymarket
  • October 23, 2026 — Westfield High School, Chantilly
  • January 13, 2027 — Brentsville High School, Nokesville (upcoming)

The assembly series continues the strong partnership between DRIVE SMART Virginia and I-66 EMP. In April, the roadway operator hosted a DRIVE SMART Virginia event at its Manassas office, welcoming more than 150 students from Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries. Attendees learned how to handle roadside emergencies, traffic stops, and basic first aid. A hands-on highlight was a pedal cart course where students wore “drunk goggles” to simulate the effects of impairment on vision and reaction time, reinforcing the importance of driving sober.

“We’re beyond pleased to have I-66 EMP back with us for this year’s round of ThinkFast Interactive assemblies,” said Kristin Pettway, executive director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. “It’s important to teach safety to young drivers here in the Commonwealth, and we could have no better partner than I-66 EMP on our side.”

“Roadway safety has always been a central pillar of our community outreach. Our partnership with DRIVE SMART Virginia aligns perfectly with that goal,” said Nancy H. Smith, corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP. “We thank DRIVE SMART Virginia for their tireless efforts making Northern Virginia’s highways safer, and we look forward to engaging our area’s young people again this year through these ThinkFast Interactive assemblies.”

About DRIVE SMART Virginia:
Founded in 1995, DRIVE SMART Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to making the Commonwealth’s roadways safer by encouraging smart driving habits. This mission is achieved through educational campaigns, outreach events, and advocacy of traffic safety initiatives, backed by corporate and civic partnerships. Learn more at www.DriveSmartVA.org.

About the 66 Express Outside the Beltway:
Part of VDOT’s Transform 66 Outside the Beltway program, the lanes of the 66 Express are a transformative 22.5-mile multi-modal mega-project featuring advanced dynamic-tolling systems to keep traffic flowing at all times. The lanes provide Northern Virginia commuters, businesses, and mass transit with a reliable option to move people, goods, and services throughout the I-66 corridor. Visit www.Ride66Express.com to learn more, and keep up with the 66 Express on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About I-66 Express Mobility Partners:
I-66 Express Mobility Partners (EMP) is a consortium of leading infrastructure companies including Cintra, Meridiam, and APG. In public-private partnership (P3) with VDOT, I-66 EMP is contracted to operate the 66 Express Outside the Beltway through 2066. Connect with I-66 EMP on LinkedIn.