Virginia State Police will be out in full force over Thanksgiving holiday

If you are traveling through the Commonwealth for the Thanksgiving holiday, Virginia State Police will be out in full force through Sunday.

Through Operation C.A.R.E., Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort, troopers will increase their presence for a five-day period beginning at Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.

Don’t say they didn’t warn ya.

During the last two Thanksgiving holidays, more than half of the fatal crashes involved someone not wearing a seatbelt, or seatbelt use could not be determined.

Virginia law changed this year to require everyone in a vehicle, no matter where they are seated, to be appropriately restrained.  Previously, only those under the age of 18, and those in the front seat, had to wear a seatbelt or be in an age-appropriate restraint.

A Virginia mom founded the Christopher King Foundation to champion seat belt use after her son died at age 18, weeks after his high school graduation. While he didn’t die over the holidays, his story is relevant because a seatbelt may have saved his life.

“As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, I’m reminded of how quickly a family can be changed forever. My son Christopher was just 18 when he was killed in a crash where a seat belt could have saved his life,” said Christy King, who urges every one to buckle up.

“It’s the simplest act of love you can give your family this holiday season,” she said.

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ICYMI

• ‘Make a plan’: Virginia mom fulfills promise to daughter who was killed by a drunk driver

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Last year, during the same effort, troopers cited:

• 3,638 drivers for speeding
• 1,700 drivers for reckless driving
• 77 people arrested for driving under the influence
• 404 people for not wearing a seatbelt
• 116 people for child-restraint violations

Overall, during the statistical counting period from Wednesday through Sunday, state troopers responded to 1,182 crashes, 129 of which resulted in injuries.

“We want Virginians to spend time with their families this Thanksgiving,” said Col. Matthew D. Hanley, superintendent of VSP.  “We also want them to get to their destination and back home safely.  We are asking everyone to please buckle up, as well as driver sober, distraction-free and under the speed limit this holiday.”

Thanksgiving enforcement efforts coincide with the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign and Mothers Against Drunk Driving winter holidays DUI-prevention campaign. Both are educational and enforcement-oriented traffic safety initiatives aimed at saving lives on Virginia’s highways through increased usage of seat belts and the deterrence of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s literary fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.