Governor Kaine Urges Virginia Motorists to Drive Safely this Holiday Season
– Virginia nears a 17-year high in number of traffic deaths –
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine is urging all drivers and passengers to help slow the number of lives being lost on Virginia’s highways this year. As of Dec. 6, the Commonwealth experienced more fatalities in 2007 than in all of 2006. At the current rate of traffic deaths, Virginia’s 2007 highway death toll could break 1,000 traffic fatalities for the first time since 1990.
“For the first time in 17 years, Virginia may lose 1,000 lives to traffic crashes,” said Governor Kaine. “With thousands expected to take to the roads for the holidays, drivers and passengers need to take responsibility and help ensure that everyone arrives at their destinations safely this holiday season.”
The facts are sobering:
- Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Virginians under the age of 30.
- Virginia averages 19 traffic fatalities a week, or three per day.
- Virginia has also experienced a sharp rise this year in motorcycle fatalities, with 20 motorcycle riders killed in the month of October alone.
- Each year in Virginia, about 38 percent of vehicle-crash deaths are alcohol-related.
In October, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia State Police and Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) joined forces in an unprecedented partnership to save lives. Through engineering, enforcement and education, the three state agencies are taking action to make the highways safer.
Because changing driver behavior is the single most effective tool for reducing highway deaths, the agencies are encouraging all drivers and passengers to take part in the Highway Safety Challenge. To heighten awareness and enhance motorists’ safety, the three agencies have launched a campaign asking motorists, “Are you Virginia’s next traffic fatality?” The campaign offers five simple safety actions that are proven to save lives:
- Buckle up
- Avoid distractions
- Share the road
- Drive drug- and alcohol-free
- Obey speed limits
These safety messages are displayed in Virginia safety rest areas and welcome centers, DMV and State Police offices, and will be featured during the upcoming peak holiday travel periods on VDOT’s electronic message signs, Highway Advisory Radio network, and the 511 Virginia phone and Web service.
To reduce traffic crashes and violations, Virginia State Police will be out in full force Dec. 21-23 as part of the annual Operation LifeSaver enforcement initiative. In addition, State Police conduct more than 55 sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols to deter and detect impaired drivers statewide between now and New Year’s.
Non-profit and private traffic safety advocates like the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and AAA-Mid Atlantic have joined the highway Safety Challenge and are helping to spread the word about this important effort.
“Through the Highway Safety Challenge, Virginia’s public and private sectors are demonstrating their sincere commitment to the safety of all motorists in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Kaine. “These agencies are doing all they can to make Virginia’s highways safer, but they cannot do it alone. Every driver and passenger should follow the simple campaign messages every day to ensure they do not become another statistic.”
To find out more about the Highway Safety Challenge, and to learn more about how you can keep from becoming Virginia’s next traffic fatality, visit www.safeVAhighways.org.
# # #
