Breaking News for Culpeper and Warrenton Accident Victims

Holiday Brought Fewer Traffic Deaths in Virginia

Posted on Dec 05, 2008

According to State Police and Highway Patrol statistics, traffic deaths decreased dramatically over the Thanksgiving holiday in Virginia and North Carolina.

Last week, there were nine deaths in Virginia resulting from crashes that occurred between Wednesday and Sunday, which is significantly lower than last year. In 2007, there were 19 fatalities during that same time period. This year’s statistics are the lowest since 2002, when nine people were killed, said State Police.

In North Carolina, seven people were killed in crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday, which is also lower than the previous year when there were 21 fatalities.

The fatal accidents in Virginia occurred in Southampton, Rockingham, Fairfax, Carroll, Louisa, Powhatan, Prince William and Rockbridge counties, according to State Police. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in two of the fatal crashes.

Authorities said that the crash in Carroll County involved a driver who was wanted in connection with a murder in Staunton. The driver was charged with DUI, resisting arrest and possession of a firearm. A state trooper was the one who discovered that the driver was wanted.

During the holiday, Virginia State Police issued 9,921 summonses for speeding, 2,810 for reckless driving, 188 for driving under the influence and 916 for not wearing seat belts. North Carolina state troopers issued 18,477 speeding citations.

Traffic safety specialists have predicted that fewer miles traveled this year would result in fewer deaths and it appears that the numbers for Virginia and three other states appear to be in line with this prediction.

Commenting on trends observed earlier this year, AAA Mid-Atlantic stated last week that "as Americans began driving less, fewer people were being killed and injured in traffic crashes."

AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend said that initially, high gasoline prices caused a decline in the miles traveled, but later the number of miles declined due to motorists' worries about the economy.