RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia’s 2016 Memorial Day weekend proved safer on Virginia highways, according to statistics released by Virginia State Police.
During the four-day weekend, preliminary numbers show a total of eight drivers and passengers died in seven traffic crashes statewide compared to 14 during the same time period in 2015.
The seven fatal traffic crashes occurred in the counties of Accomack, Amherst, Arlington, Henrico, New Kent, Pittsylvania and York.
“As encouraging as this decrease is in traffic deaths for the extended holiday weekend, we still have a great deal of work to do to save even more lives on Virginia’s highways,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent.
Of the seven fatalities over the holiday weekend, three of the drivers were not wearing seat belts.
As part of the ongoing 2016 Click It or Ticket spring campaign, troopers cited 913 safety belt violations and another 272 child safety seat violations.
The two-week, concentrated Click It or Ticket educational and enforcement initiative began Monday, May 23, 2016, and runs through Sunday, June 5, 2016
State troopers responded to and investigated a total of 847 traffic crashes statewide during the four-day counting period.
“We are on the cusp of the summer vacation and travel season, so we need all motorists to do their part in driving to save lives by buckling up, complying with speed limits, avoiding driving distractions, and never driving drunk or drugged,” said Flaherty. “Drive like your life depends on it.”
