Officials urge travelers to drive safely over Thanksgiving holiday

Virginia State Police is urging motorists to drive to save lives this holiday weekend.

As millions take to the highway this Thanksgiving to visit family near and far, the Virginia State Police urges motorists to drive safely over the busy holiday period.

In Virginia, just over the last two weeks, vehicle accidents have claimed the lives of 35 drivers and passengers, as well as nine pedestrians. According to Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, from Jan. 1, 2017, to Nov. 16, 2017, preliminary reports indicate traffic crashes statewide have resulted in 710 deaths; compared to 640 deaths during the same timeframe in 2016.

“Tragically, traffic fatalities are on the rise in Virginia,” said Flaherty.

“We’ve seen an 11 percent increase over this time last year. With so many people estimated to travel over the Thanksgiving weekend, we need everyone to help prevent crashes by driving smart, buckling up and never driving drunk or drugged. We want everyone to arrive alive and enjoy the holiday.”

To help prevent traffic deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Virginia State Police will once again participate in Operation C.A.R.E., an acronym for the Combined Accident Reduction Effort.

Operation 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 will increase its visibility and traffic enforcement efforts across Virginia, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, at 12:01 a.m. and continuing through midnight, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017.

In order to help with the flow of traffic as more travelers hit the roadway, Virginia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Sandy Meyers said in a media release that VDOT will suspend most highway work zones and lift lane closures on interstates and other major roads statewide for Thanksgiving travel from noon Wednesday, Nov. 22 until noon Monday, Nov. 27.

During last year’s Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Police troopers:

•Cited 9,235 speeders
•Cited 2,928 reckless drivers
•Arrested 132 drunken drivers
•Cited 824 safety belt violations & 286 child restraint violations
•Investigated 1,163 traffic crashes, in which eight were fatal

With additional troopers and other law enforcement working on Virginia’s highways this holiday weekend, Virginia State Police also reminds drivers to comply with Virginia’s “Move Over” law.

Drivers are required to change to another travel lane or, when unable to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. The law also includes highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.