News

May 26, 2010
Virginia State Police "C.A.R.E." for Commonwealth's Highways This Memorial Day Weekend
Stepped Up Patrols Statewide and 'Click It or Ticket' Enforcement Over the Holiday

RICHMOND – Those traveling this holiday weekend can expect to see more Virginia State Police on the roadways statewide as part of the annual Operation C.A.R.E. traffic enforcement campaign. The Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) is a state-sponsored, national program designed to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints. As a participating agency, State Police willincrease its visibility and traffic enforcement efforts throughout the Commonwealth beginning Friday morning, May 28, 2010, at 12:01 a.m. and continuing through midnight, Monday, May 31, 2010.

In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., the Virginia State Police is also continuing its active participation in the nationwide Click It or Ticket educational and enforcement effort. The traffic safety project, which runs May 24 through June 6, 2010, is aimed at increasing seat belt use in Virginia and ultimately saving lives.

Last year during the holiday weekend, Virginia State Police troopers statewide cited 1,019 seat belt violations. Another 347 summonses were issued for children not being properly secured in either a child safety seat or booster seat.

“In 2009, Virginia experienced its lowest number of traffic deaths in over a decade during the Memorial Day weekend,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “I challenge all Virginians to play a role in further decreasing the number of traffic deaths and crashes during this year’s holiday weekend by buckling up, obeying speed limits, and driving sober and distraction-free.”

The 2009 Operation C.A.R.E. initiative also resulted in 10,391 speeders and 3,002 reckless drivers being stopped, and 174 drunk drivers being taken off the road and arrested.

State police also investigated a total of 650 traffic crashes, with seven of them being fatal. A total of 18 died in Virginia as a result of traffic crashes over the 2008 Memorial Day weekend and 16 people were killed during the 2007 holiday weekend. Additional historical statistics available at http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/safety/crash_data/crash_facts/index.asp.

With more troopers being out on Virginia’s roadways this holiday weekend, motorists are reminded of the statewide law requiring motorists to either move over a lane or slow down when passing an emergency vehicle on the side of a road. Violation of the law carries a punishment of up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.

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