The Virginia State Police want motorists across the state to stay safe during Thanksgiving week.
In 2012, 14 people died in 13 crashes across Virginia during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. That number represented the highest number of fatal crashes for that period since 2009, when 16 people died on Virginia roads.
“Every year our goal is to have no fatalities to report from a holiday weekend, unfortunately it’s not the reality of the situation,” said Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty. “It’s critically important for drivers and passengers to make smart and safe choices, to include buckling up and driving distraction-free, when getting behind the wheel or riding in a vehicle. We want everyone to make it to their Thanksgiving destination and return home safely.”
A common factor in many of the crashes with fatalities is people who don’t wear seat belts. Of the 14 people who died on Thanksgiving weekend 2012, 11 were not wearing seat belts. To help curb that number, VSP troopers will increase patrols with an emphasis on traffic enforcement. The surge in troopers will run from Wednesday until Sunday.
During the 2012 Thanksgiving weekend, troopers handed out 844 seat belt tickets, 283 tickets for children not wearing seat belts, 10,444 speeding tickets and 3,028 reckless driving tickets. VSP arrested 95 drivers for driving drunk.
VSP wants motorists to think about the “move over” law, requiring drivers to change to another travel lane when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle. If that’s not possible, drivers must cautiously pass the vehicle. In addition to emergency lights, the law also applies to highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.
VSP offered the following tips for motorists this weekend:
- Get plenty of sleep before leaving on a trip. Drowsiness and fatigue can play a role in car accidents.
- Check your vehicle before leaving on a trip, examining tire pressure, tread levels and fluid levels.
- Make sure to have an emergency roadside kit in each vehicle.
- Keep the cell phone out sight.
- Obey posted speed limits.