Preliminary figures show that as of December 20, 810 people have lost their lives on Virginia roadways this year—12 fewer compared to the same time in 2023.
“During the Thanksgiving holiday, it appears Virginians heeded our message, and we saw a decrease in fatalities,” shared Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, interim superintendent of Virginia State Police. “We hope this trend continues, and ideally, we’d love to see a holiday with no fatalities on the roads.”
Virginia State Police are currently running their holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, focusing on preventing impaired driving through enforcement efforts.
Tips for Safe Driving
To help ensure a safe journey, Virginia State Police recommend:
- Avoiding distractions
- Slowing down and following speed limits
- Buckling up
- Driving sober
Staying Sober Behind the Wheel
In 2023, Virginia recorded 293 alcohol-related traffic fatalities, marking a nearly 7% increase. If your holiday plans include parties, use these strategies to get home safely:
- Plan ahead: Choose a designated driver, call a friend or family member, hire a cab, or use public transportation.
- Take away the keys: Don’t let anyone who’s been drinking get behind the wheel. Help them arrange an alternative ride home.
- Stay vigilant: Keep an eye out for impaired drivers and report them by dialing #77. Make sure it’s hands-free or have a passenger call to notify the nearest Virginia State Police emergency communications center.
Let’s make this holiday season a safe and joyous one for all.