PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia State Police are sounding the alarm about deadly crashes.
After 25 people died in traffic deaths in the span of seven days, they’re re-emphasizing the need for safe driving in the Commonwealth.
According to VSP, between Tuesday, May 28 and Tuesday, June 4, state troopers investigated 21 separate traffic crashes that resulted in 25 fatalities, just a week into what’s called the 100 deadliest days on the road each year. And, according to preliminary figures, Virginia has had 336 traffic fatalities between Jan. 1 and June 4.
“It is the period every year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, where historically we’ve seen teen driver fatalities be overrepresented in those 100 days, as opposed to the rest of the 365 days in a year,” said AAA public relations specialist Ryan Adcock.
Police said the crashes occurred all throughout the state, including Virginia Beach, where the driver of a motorcycle died on June 1 after crashing into the back of a vehicle.
And the fatalities don’t just involve younger drivers. They are middle-aged, older drivers from all parts of Virginia.
The statistics show the following posted speeds, wearing seat belts, avoiding distractions like phones and texting and refusing to drink and drive eliminates most of the fatalities.
In other words, it’s up to us.
Last Wednesday Interstate 64 in James City County. Chopper 10 was above the scene where a Richmond area resident slammed into the back of a VDOT truck and later died at the hospital. The VDOT worker had minor injuries.
Last Saturday in Newport News, State Police investigated a deadly crash on Interstate 64 near mile marker 249 one person confirmed dead.
“The traffic, safety culture is going in a direction that we obviously do not want it to go,” Adcock said. “We definitely want people to practice some traffic safety, making sure that we are not driving distracted with our cell phones, making sure that we’re not speeding, and things like that. Anything that takes away from the task at hand, which is driving, can be dangerous and even fatal.”
Also last Saturday June 1, there was another fatality in Virginia Beach, this one involving a motorcycle and vehicle collision at 2:41 a.m. on the eastbound lanes of I-64 at mile marker 286 in which one person was killed.
“So, the number one tip for motorcyclists and drivers is making sure that we are sharing the road when we’re out there,” Adcock said.
Virginia State Police has an initiative called “Youth of Virginia Speak out about Traffic Safety.”
They are participating in the “100 Safest Days of Summer Campaign.” It emphasizes the critical role parents play in their children’s driving.
“Twenty-five traffic deaths in one week should be of very serious concern for every Virginian,” Superintendent of Virginia State Police Colonel Gary T. Settle said. “In order for this summer to be a safe one, we need Virginians to re-commit to safe driving habits. Driving smart, safe and sober must be everyone’s number one, and only, focus when behind the wheel.”
VSP is offering free Ride 2 Save Lives Motorcycle Assessment training around the Commonwealth in the hopes of enhancing motorcycle safety.
VSP is also participating in the “100 Safest Days of Summer Campaign,” which emphasizes the role parents play in teaching teens safe driving habits. The campaign is a response to what is typically considered the “100 Deadliest Days” for teen drivers.