News

September 7, 2010
Virginia Reports Fewer Traffic Deaths & Drunk Drivers on Commonwealth's Highways Over Labor Day Weekend
Eight fatalities in six crashes this year compared to 14 fatalities in 2009

RICHMOND – Virginia’s highways proved to be considerably safer over the 2010 Labor Day weekend than in 2009. Last year over the holiday weekend 14 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in Virginia. From 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, through midnight Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, preliminary reports indicate eight people died in six traffic crashes statewide. Troopers responded to a total of 378 traffic crashes; 141 fewer than the 2009 Labor Day holiday weekend.

There were also fewer drunk driving arrests on Virginia’s highways by state police during this past holiday weekend. In 2009, 164 impaired drivers were stopped and placed under arrest. In 2010, state police took 132 drunk drivers off the Commonwealth’s roads.

“Last week state police joined Governor McDonnell in launching the multi-state Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign, a DUI-prevention program that incorporates educational outreach and aggressive enforcement,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “We would like to think that Virginians took that message to heart and purposefully chose not to drink and drive during the Labor Day holiday, thus making our highways safer for everyone.”

Despite the decrease in DUI arrests by state police over the weekend, at least two of the six fatal holiday traffic crashes were alcohol related.

Two of the fatal traffic crashes occurred in Warren County, with one crash claiming the lives of three Purcellville, Va., residents. A motorcyclist was killed in Prince Edward County. The remaining holiday traffic deaths occurred in the counties of Bedford, Highland and Washington.

Virginia State Police Labor Day enforcement efforts also resulted in 8,836 speeders and 2,420 reckless drivers being stopped and ticketed. Troopers also cited 898 safety belt violations and 318 child safety seat violations.

In addition to Checkpoint Strikeforce, the Virginia State Police participated in 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 impaired driving, speeding and failure to use occupant restraints.

Funds generated from summonses issued by state police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.

More photos from the September 2nd press conference with Governor McDonnell are available at http://photos.vachiefs.org/Traffic-Safety/Checkpoint-Strikeforce/2010-09-02-CPSF-Kickoff/

Additional information about Checkpoint Strikeforce available from Washington Regional Alcohol Safety Program (WRAP) and on the Checkpoint Strikeforce web site – http://www.checkpointstrikeforce.net.