RICHMOND, Va. – The number of traffic deaths reported from Memorial Day weekend are down from the 2015 holiday.
Virginia State Police reported eight traffic deaths during their Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) this year, compared to 14 in 2015. The Operation C.A.R.E. initiative started Friday, May 27 and concluded Monday, May 30.
Virginia State Police Superintendent Colonel W. Steven Flaherty is encouraged by the decrease but also reminds drivers, “We are on the cusp of the summer vacation and travel season, so we need all motorists to do their part in driving to save lives by buckling up, complying with speed limits, avoiding driving distractions, and never driving drunk or drugged. Drive like your life depends on it.”
Over the course of this operation troopers also cited 913 people for seat belt violations and arrested 134 drunken drivers.
