Stay safe this holiday season

RICHMOND – Although the total number of fatal teen crashes is down compared to this time last year, according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office, Virginia has been experiencing a significant increase in deadly collisions involving young people within the past eight weeks.

During September and October, preliminary numbers indicate 23 teens were killed in traffic crashes. Already, within the first weeks of November, 12 teenagers have lost their lives in collisions across the state.

The crashes closest to Stafford were in Fairfax, Fauquier and Henrico.

Of the 12 young people who died in November, 11 were males. Eight were not wearing a safety belt and seven crashes took place on rural routes. Alcohol was a factor in at least one collision. Teen drivers were involved in seven crashes and all the victims ranged from 16 to 20 years of age.

“This is about more than just statistics or numbers. This is about 35 young people who won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving with their families,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “The freedom that comes with driving a car is the next step in a teen’s independence, but handling a car on the road also comes with tremendous responsibility. Inexperience works against them on the road.”

In order to avoid fatal incidents like this, Col. Flaherty said that, “parents must continue to work with their teen drivers and help them make safe, responsible driving choices behind the wheel.”

Operation C.A.R.E Enforcement would like to remind everyone that safer driving practices should be a focus for all drivers as they travel to and from their destinations during the busy Thanksgiving travel season.

Last year, 19 people were killed in 18 fatal crashes on Virginia roads during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The five-day statistical counting period included 160 DUI arrests, 918 safety belt violations and 223 child restraint citations by state police.

Once again, the Virginia State Police will have additional troopers working on the interstates for the Thanksgiving holiday as part of the Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (Operation C.A.R.E.), which is a state sponsored, national program intended to decrease crashes, fatalities and injuries as a result of speeding, impaired driving and failure to use safety restraints.

The traffic safety program is conducted during the year’s national holidays.

The Department of Highway Safety would like to remind all motorists about Virginia’s Move Over law, which requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when unable to, to slow down and cautiously pass all emergency personnel stopped on the side of a road.

— Press Release