News

August 26, 2008
State Police remind motorists to take it Safe, Slow & Sober this Labor Day weekend

RICHMOND – The summer travel season is coming to a close this weekend and Virginia State Police are reminding all motorists to make safe, responsible choices while traveling and/or celebrating during Labor Day. Last year, Virginia experienced a record 22 traffic fatalities during the four-day statistical holiday counting period. The 2008 Labor Day statistical counting period begins Friday, Aug. 29, at 12:01 a.m. and continues through midnight Monday, Sept. 1.

“The 2007 Labor Day weekend was the worst for traffic fatalities in 10 years,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “I know Virginians can do better this year in helping state and local law enforcement make our roadways as safe as possible. Every driver needs to comply with speed limits, drive drug and alcohol free, and make sure everyone inside the vehicle is buckled up.”

Last week, Virginia State Police was among more than 75 state and local law enforcement to launch the annual Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign. The five-month, statewide initiative combines enforcement and education efforts to raise public awareness of drunk driving. Labor Day is historically one of the deadliest drunk driving holiday weekends of the year.

In addition, State Police are participating in Virginia’s new Think!...Don’t Drink initiative, a campaign to reduce underage drinking in Virginia. The program, presented by the Governor’s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (GOSAP) Collaborative, enables community civic organizations and parents to address the issue by providing them with monetary and informational resources. For more information, click on www.gosap.virginia.gov.

Beginning this Friday, State Police will join law enforcement around the country for Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) during the Labor Day weekend. The state-sponsored, national program is designed to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints, particularly during the national holidays.

In 2007, the Virginia State Police’s participation in Operation C.A.R.E. resulted in 8,240 speeders and 2,606 reckless drivers being stopped; 153 drunk drivers being arrested; and 832 safety belt violators and 260 child safety seat violations being cited. Of the 22 traffic fatalities, 15 were individuals not wearing safety belts. Including the fatalities, troopers investigated a total of 639 traffic crashes during the 2007 four-day holiday statistical counting period.

With more troopers out on the highways during the Labor Day weekend, motorists are reminded to comply with Virginia’s “Move Over” law. The state law requires motorists to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped in the shoulder of a roadway. If unable to move over, then drivers are required to slow down while passing the emergency vehicle.