Thousands of drivers received more than turkey and stuffing this holiday weekend; they got a ticket on Virginia roadways for speeding or reckless driving.
State troopers issued citations for more than 4,000 drivers for speeding and more than 1,700 drivers for reckless driving.
Despite rampant speeding, fatalities on the roads in the Commonwealth over Thanksgiving weekend were down this year, according to Virginia State Police.
Six people died on roads over the 2025 holiday – two fewer than in 2024, when eight people died in fatal crashes.
The fatal crashes occurred in Accomack, Augusta, Carroll, Dinwiddie and Pittsylvania counties as well as the City of Richmond.
Wintry weather was a factor in at least one of the crashes.
State troopers issued citations this weekend for:
- 4,237 drivers, speeding
- 1,700+ drivers, reckless driving
- 481 people, not wearing a seatbelt
- 126 child restraint violations
- 63 arrests, driving under the influence
Overall, troopers worked 1,147 crashes, 123 of which resulted in injuries.
Fatalities also down for calendar year
There have also been less fatalities as a whole in the state for the calendar year, VSP reported.
As of Dec. 1, 2025, preliminary data shows there have been 671 fatalities on Virginia roadways this year, compared to 788 in 2024.
“We are pleased that fatalities are down for the Thanksgiving holiday, as well as the calendar year,” said Col. Matthew D. Hanley, superintendent of Virginia State Police. “But one fatality is one too many, and while our troopers push to make the roads as safe as possible, we also need Virginians to buckle up, drive sober, avoid distractions and stay within the speed limit.”
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Crystal Graham
