CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia experienced an over fifty percent decrease in the number of fatal traffic crashes over Thanksgiving, according to Virginia State Police.
On Tuesday, VSP released a message saying that 9 people lost their lives over the five-day holiday period. In 2022, the same 5-day period had 19 fatalities. In the majority of those crashes, the people who died were not wearing a seatbelt.
“The reduction in traffic crashes is definitely encouraging and we appreciate everyone who put in the extra effort to drive safely and responsibly over the Thanksgiving weekend,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “As we now head into the winter holiday season, I urge Virginians to please buckle up, not follow too closely, comply with posted speed limits, and drive drug and alcohol-free.”
The deadly crashes occurred in Amelia, Buchanan, Fairfax, Henrico, Madison and Wythe counties, as well as in the city of Chesapeake.
Virginia State Police participated in Operation C.A.R.E. in order to prevent deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday. The Crash Awareness Reduction Effort aims to increase road safety by reducing the number of incidents caused by speeding or other traffic violations. State troopers cited over 4,500 drivers for speeding and over 1,800 drivers for reckless driving. They also arrested 89 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and wrote 427 citations for not wearing a seat belt.
