Virginia State Police prepares for busy roadways this Labor Day weekend

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia's roadways are about to be bustling with holiday travel. With nearly 800 crashes in the "rearview" during Labor Day weekend in 2024, Virginia State Police is prepared to be equally busy this year.

This year, Labor Day weekend will kick off on Friday, Aug. 29, marking 2025's final summer holiday.

In anticipation of the increased travel this holiday will bring, state police will again activate Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE) -- described as a state-sponsored, national program meant to reduce crashes, as well as traffic deaths and injuries, caused by impaired driving, speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt.

Between Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, and Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, state troopers worked a total of 797 crashes across the Commonwealth. Ten of those crashes were deadly, with two of them taking place in Central Virginia.

FROM 2024: VSP reflects on Labor Day Weekend Operation C.A.R.E

During 2024's enforcement period, more than 3,000 drivers were cited for speeding and 1,376 were cited for reckless driving. Another 77 were charged with driving under the influence.

Additionally, 261 were cited for violating Virginia's hands-free law, 463 were cited for seatbelt violations and 105 were cited for child restraint violations.

This year, CARE will be in place from 12:01 a.m. on Friday until midnight on Monday, Sept. 1. Per VSP, drivers will see an increased state trooper presence on both Friday and Monday, as these are expected to be the busiest travel days.

VSP is optimistic about the trend in traffic deaths in 2025. Preliminary data shows that 474 people have died in crashes in Virginia so far this year. By this time in 2024, that number was 555 -- meaning the state has seen 81 fewer deaths.

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“Virginia State Police continue to be pleased that there are fewer fatalities on the roads this year," said VSP's superintendent, Col. Matthew D. Hanley, in a press release. "But, with school back in session and the end of the year approaching, we cannot let our guard down. We need to continue practicing safe habits, such as obeying the speed limit, wearing your seat belt, driving sober, and avoiding distractions.”

All funds generated by summons issued will go directly towards court fees and Virginia's Literacy Fund, "which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement," per VSP.