Virginia State Police warns drivers to drive smart and sober for Memorial Day

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With Memorial Day weekend and summer approaching, Virginia State Police is reminding all drivers to drive safe, smart and sober.

Last year, there were 13 roadway fatalities in Virginia during the four-day Memorial Day weekend, according to state police, with another 25 deaths investigated in the week that followed.

"This is a tremendously busy time of year, with graduations, vacations, parties and moves," said Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police. "We need Virginians to slow down, to exercise patience, drive safely and arrive alive. We would rather you arrive late and alive than not at all."

AAA Mid-Atlantic projected a 2.5% increase in travel for this year's Memorial Day holiday, expecting more than 1 million Virginians to be traveling and nearly 90% of them to be driving.

Starting Friday, May 23, through midnight Monday, May 26, VSP and other law enforcement agencies around the country will collaborate for Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.), which is a state program aimed at reducing crashes, injuries and deaths.

Authorities reported in their 2024 statistics that troopers cited more than 3,500 drivers for driving over the speed limit, more than 1,400 drivers for reckless driving, and 92 drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

In addition, over 300 drivers were cited for violating the state's "hands-free" law on phones.

Virginia is once again participating in the annual "Click It or Ticket" campaign, which last year resulted in 535 seatbelt violations and 112 child restraint citations issued by VSP over the holiday.

State police said any funds that come from summonses by authorities go directly to court fees and Virginia's Literary Fund, benefitting the construction of public schools, funding of technology and teacher retirement.