RICHMOND — Virginia State Police will increase traffic enforcement for the Memorial Day weekend when its Operation Crash Awareness Reduction (CARE) goes into effect, according to a news release.
Last year, during Operation CARE, which was combined with the annual Click It or Ticket campaign, state police said 16 people died on Virginia roads.
“Virginians must make traffic safety a priority every day and especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season,” said Col. Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “Memorial Day weekend is filled with celebrations, vacations, outdoor festivals and backyard cookouts, so we need all motorists to share the road responsibly by driving smart, safe and sober.”
During the 2022 Memorial Day weekend, Virginia State Police made 4,888 speeding, 1,875 reckless driving and 90 impaired driving arrests, according to the release. In addition, 659 people were prosecuted for violating the rules of using seat belts, 117 for violating the rules of child safety, and the police detained 144 criminals. Help was provided to more than 1,700 disabled motorists.
With increased patrols this weekend, Virginia State Police also reminded drivers of the state’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped along the road. In case of impossibility to move, drivers should carefully pass the emergency vehicle. The law also applies to workers on vehicles equipped with amber lights, the release said.
For all of 2022, 26 people died in crashes in the region, 24 in Augusta County and two in Waynesboro, according to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Got a news tip? Or something to research? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.