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Traffic deaths in Virginia increase over Thanksgiving weekend

Posted at 6:22 PM, Nov 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-27 18:29:50-05

RICHMOND, Va. — Preliminary reports show that 10 people were killed while traveling on Virginia’s highways over Thanksgiving weekend, an increase from 2016.

The traffic crashes claimed the lives of eight drivers, one passenger and a pedestrian, according to Virginia State Police.

Last year, traffic crashes claimed a total of seven lives on Virginia highways.

The fatal crashes occurred in the City of Richmond and the counties of Appomattox, Augusta, Bedford, Caroline, Fairfax and Spotsylvania. This includes two fatal crashes, including a pedestrian crash in the City of Richmond.

As of Monday, Nov. 27, there have been 737 reported traffic deaths in Virginia, compared to 664 this date last year.

“The increase in fatal crashes throughout this year is troubling and should be of serious concern to all Virginians,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Tragically, there will be at least 700 families heading into the holiday season mourning the loss of a loved one because of a traffic crash on a Virginia highway. Let’s make these remaining weeks of 2017 safer for everyone by buckling up and driving smart, safe, sober and distraction-free.”

The holiday statistical counting period began Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 12:01 a.m. and continued through midnight Sunday, Nov. 26.

During the 2017 Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Police troopers:

  • Cited 8,016 speeders
  • Cited 2,465 reckless drivers
  • Arrested 102 drunken drivers
  • Cited 589 safety belt violations & 205 child restraint violations
  • Investigated 998 traffic crashes, in which nine were fatal
  • Assisted 2,635 disabled motorists
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