RICHMOND, Va. (DC News Now) — Virginia State Police is encouraging drivers to buckle up and drive safely as many start to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Buckling up takes minimal time and is one of the biggest things you can do to ensure that you arrive at your holiday destination safely,” said Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, interim superintendent of Virginia State Police.
State Police said during the 2023 Thanksgiving travel season, about half of 11 traffic-related deaths involved someone not wearing a seatbelt.
Once again, VSP announced it will launch Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE) for the Thanksgiving holiday. The operation will begin just after midnight Nov. 27 and run until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1.
During the five-day holiday statistical counting period, drivers can expect to see an increased amount of state troopers on highways across the state.
Throughout the 2023 Thanksgiving Holiday CARE initiative, state troopers cited 4,520 drivers for speeding and 1,840 for reckless driving. VSP said 89 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and troopers wrote 427 citations for not wearing a seatbelt.
According to VSP, there were 11 deadly crashes last year, down from 19 in 2022.
“We are asking you this holiday season to wear a seat belt, to slow down and drive within the speed limit, to drive sober, and drive distraction free,” Hanley said. “Help us make this a safe holiday.”