Traffic Fatalities Down this Labor Day Weekend

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Posted: 4:47 PM Sep 2, 2008 Traffic Fatalities Down this Labor Day Weekend Virginia State Police report there was a significant drop in travic fatalities this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.

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September 2, 2008

Labor Day weekend 2008 saw the lowest number of fatalities on Virginia roads since 2001.

Seven people were killed in traffic crashes from Friday to Monday. Last year, a record 22 people were killed during the Labor Day weekend.

“Though the declines in traffic crash fatalities during the Labor Day weekend and throughout this entire year are encouraging, Virginians must still make driving safety a priority,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Seven traffic fatalities are still seven too many, especially for the families, friends and communities now mourning the loss of those individuals.”

Two of the deaths involved motorcyclists. Both victims were wearing helmets.

The other crashes occurred in Arlington, Brunswick, Culpeper, Cumberland and Orange counties. Three of the victims were not wearing seat belts.

Alcohol was a factor in at least one of the seven fatalities, said state police.

During the Labor Day weekend Virginia State Police patrolled 337,154 miles, stopped 8,474 speeders, arrested 137 impaired drivers and responded to a 621 traffic crashes.

Latest Comments

Posted by: john Location: garrett square (aka felony court) on Sep 2, 2008 at 05:58 PM

Over a dozen police departments make a living off Route 29 between this town and Fairfax County, it's good to see that people are finally appreciating this. Four buck a gallon gas has done far more to reduce fatalities than radar traps. Just think, when gas hits eight dollars a gallon in a few years we can start laying off police officers since we won't need them. We are all going to be on bicycles and those tickets won't generate nearly the money that cars provide to the state and localities.

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