As the last holiday weekend of the summer season approaches, motorists traveling through the Commonwealth this Labor Day weekend can expect to see significant increased enforcement by the Virginia State Police. Troopers will provide stationary and roving patrols across Virginia’s roads looking for impaired drivers. Last year, Virginia experienced nine traffic deaths during the four-day holiday statistical counting period. Six individuals were killed in traffic crashes in 2012.
The stepped-up law enforcement operations are part of the nationwide Drive to Save Lives campaign that aims to not only reduce traffic fatalities by 15 percent in 2014, but to also increase officer safety for those on patrol. To achieve a 15 percent reduction in the Commonwealth, there must be 111 fewer traffic deaths on Virginia’s highways this year.
In 2013, Virginia State Police arrested 120 drunk drivers during the four-day Labor Day weekend. Troopers also cited 11,834 speeders and 2,552 reckless drivers. They issued 883 safety belt violations and 335 tickets to adults who failed to properly secure their infant and child passengers.
In addition to the Drive to Save Lives initiative, Virginia State Police will engage in the annual Operation C.A.R.E. traffic enforcement campaign. The Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.) is a state-sponsored, national program designed to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding and failure to use occupant restraints. As a participating agency, Virginia State Police will increase visibility and traffic enforcement efforts throughout the Commonwealth beginning Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2014, at 12:01 a.m. and continuing through midnight Monday, Sept.1, 2014.
As state police increase patrols on the Commonwealth’s highways for the holiday weekend, motorists are reminded of Virginia’s Move Over law. The statewide law requires drivers to either move over a lane or, when unable to, to cautiously pass all emergency personnel stopped on the side of a road. The law also applies to emergency response vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights. To see Virginia’s latest Move Over public service announcement, which is available in both English and Spanish, click on http://www.youtube.com/user/vspvideos.
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Chris Graham
