Memorial day weekend traffic fatalities rise in virginia

Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Fatalities Rise in Virginia

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1 min read
May 29, 2024

RICHMOND, VA—Virginia roads witnessed a distressing increase in traffic fatalities over the Memorial Day weekend in 2024, with eleven deaths reported across various counties, up from nine during the same period in 2023. Among the fatalities were two double-fatality incidents in Goochland and Henry Counties.

The fatal incidents spanned across Craig, Dinwiddie, Fairfax, Franklin, Goochland, and Henry counties, along with the cities of Hampton and Lynchburg. Specific tragic events included a head-on collision in Goochland County and a single-vehicle crash in Henry County, each resulting in two fatalities. Additionally, a motorcyclist lost their life in Lynchburg, and a pedestrian was fatally struck in Fairfax County.

Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police, emphasized the urgency of safer driving practices. “Eleven people is far too many lives lost,” stated Colonel Settle. He urged motorists to adhere to speed limits, use seat belts, avoid driving under the influence, and eliminate distractions.

During the holiday weekend, Virginia State Police increased patrols as part of Operation C.A.R.E (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing crashes. Enforcement efforts led to over 3,500 speeding citations, more than 1,400 charges for reckless driving, and 92 DUI arrests. Additionally, 303 drivers were cited for violating Virginia’s hands-free law.

The Click It or Ticket campaign also saw significant enforcement activity, with 535 seatbelt violations and 112 citations for improper child restraints.

Fines collected from these violations contribute to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which supports public school construction, technology funding, and teacher retirement. The heightened vigilance of state police underscores a continuing commitment to enhancing road safety and reducing holiday weekend tragedies.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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