State police 'strictly enforcing' speed limit during holiday weekend
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer travel season, and sadly it is already off to a deadly start in Commonwealth.
AAA estimates 38 million Americans will hit the roads this weekend.
Occupant restraint enforcement is a key component of the Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) traffic safety initiative that begins 12:01 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016, and concludes Monday, May 30, 2016, at midnight.
The state-sponsored national program encourages law enforcement agencies to increase visibility and traffic enforcement efforts on major travel holidays, like Memorial Day.
The program also means that all available Virginia State Police troopers will be on patrol through the holiday weekend.
"We are strictly enforcing speed, seat-belt, DUI," said Sgt. Steve Vick. "We want you to have fun, but we want you to get there safely. The more visible we are out there...it puts in your mind...maybe I better slow down."
Police say the 2015 Memorial Day Operation C.A.R.E. initiative resulted in troopers citing 1,314 individuals who failed to obey the law and buckle up, as well as issuing 403 citations for child safety seat violations on Virginia's highways statewide. In addition, state police tell NBC12 they cited 13,728 speeders and 3,452 reckless drivers. A total of 142 drunken drivers were taken off Virginia's roadways and arrested by state troopers.
We're told there were 14 traffic fatalities statewide during last year's four-day statistical counting period for Memorial Day weekend. In 2014, police say there were eight traffic deaths and, in 2013, Virginia experienced nine fatalities on Virginia's highways during the holiday weekend.
"Take your time," said Sgt. Vick. "Wear your seat-belt and just decrease your speed."
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