The Shadow
DOSWELL, Va. (VR) — The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is bringing a show-stopping attraction to the 2025 Virginia State Fair on September 26–28: a towering 54-foot bright yellow ladder designed to make one powerful point—speed has an impact.
The ladder, which first debuted earlier this summer at Richmond landmark The Diamond, has already drawn international media attention for its unforgettable message: being hit by a car going 40 mph has the same impact as falling from the top of this five-story-high yellow ladder.
“Speed limits aren’t there to inconvenience you. They’re there to make sure we all get home safe,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We placed this ladder here to show that no destination is worth more than someone’s life, limb, or loved one.”
At the fair, visitors, particularly families with young drivers, can see the display up close. Bright markers run up the ladder’s sides, showing how each marker compares to the force of being struck at different speeds—10, 20, 30, and 40 miles per hour. The visual is both simple and shocking, helping Virginians of all ages understand why slowing down saves lives.
Last year, 410 people were killed and more than 13,000 were injured in speed-related crashes. These numbers show the serious impact speed has on Virginia communities. Drivers can prevent crashes by following the posted speed limit and giving their full attention to the task of driving.
“Every year, too many lives are cut short because of speed,” said Brandy Brubaker, DMV’s Director of Highway Safety Strategy. “By placing this ladder where thousands of families will see it, we hope to spark conversations about safe driving that last long after the fair.”
DMV encourages all fairgoers to stop by, snap a photo with the ladder, talk to our DMV volunteers and take home the simple but vital reminder: Speed Has an Impact.
For more information on DMV’s traffic safety efforts, visit www.dmv.virginia.gov/safety.
