News
January 3, 2011
Fourteen Die in Traffic Crashes Over Christmas & New Year's Holiday Weekends
Virginia State Police 2010 Enforcement Statistics
RICHMOND – Preliminary reports indicate 14 people died in 12 traffic crashes on Virginia’s highways during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday weekends. Ten people died in eight crashes during the 2010 Christmas holiday statistical counting period; and there are four reported fatal crashes during the 2010-2011 New Year’s holiday statistical counting period. In 2009, 11 people were killed in traffic crashes over a four-day Christmas holiday; five traffic fatalities occurred during the four-day 2009-2010 New Year’s holiday.
The Christmas holiday statistical counting period began at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Dec. 24, 2010, and concluded at midnight Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. Four of the fatal crashes occurred Dec. 24 in the counties of Campbell, Henrico, Loudoun and Madison. The remaining fatal crashes occurred Dec. 25, in the City of Newport News and the counties of Prince William, Rockingham and Russell. The Prince William County crash claimed the lives of a driver and his two passengers. Alcohol was a factor in at lease four of the crashes.
The four-day New Year’s holiday statistical counting period began at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, and concluded at midnight Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011. The four fatal traffic crashes occurred in the counties of Albemarle, Chesterfield, Gloucester and James City. The Gloucester County fatality claimed the life of a pedestrian. Alcohol was a factor in at least one of the fatal crashes.
Virginia concluded 2010 with 35 fewer traffic deaths in comparison to 2009, according to preliminary crash reports. In 2010, 721 men, women and children died in traffic crashes on Virginia highways. In 2009, 756 people lost their lives in traffic crashes.*
| |
2009 Fatalities |
2010 Fatalities |
Change |
| Christmas Holiday Weekend |
11 |
10 (in 8 crahes) |
-1 |
| New Year's Holiday Weekend |
5 |
4 (in 4 crashes) |
-1 |
| TOTAL FATALITIES FOR THE YEAR |
756 |
721 |
-35 |
2010 Virginia State Police Enforcement Statistics
 In addition to investigating more than 37,000 traffic crashes statewide during 2010, Virginia State Police also took 5,649 drunken drivers off Virginia highways during the year. Preliminary data also show state troopers cited 72,532 reckless drivers and 197,616 speeders across the Commonwealth during 2010. Troopers cited 26,098 seat belt violations and 6,955 child restraint violations.
Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement. Funding for the enforcement initiative was provided through federal highway safety monies.
Statewide, state police also seized 87 illegal weapons and made 2,835 illegal drug arrests.
Troopers in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads cited 23,422 drivers for being in violation of High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) regulations.
In addition, Virginia State Police troopers responded to more than 51,000 requests for assistance from state, federal, and local police and sheriff’s offices during 2010.
*Source: 2009 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts, DMV |
