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Bet on a fun and safe Labor Day holiday by hedging distractions and risks on the road
RICHMOND—The odds of having a fantastic Labor Day weekend are in your favor, though the chances of becoming a traffic safety statistic are something to keep in mind.
Virginia State Police stopped 4,475 speeders and 1,945 reckless drivers during 2023’s four-day Labor Day weekend. State troopers also cited 491 seat belt violations and 150 child restraint violations during that time period.
According to Virginia Traffic Crash Facts, 673 injuries resulted from 1,216 crashes throughout 2023’s holiday weekend.
Fourteen individuals died in 10 of those Virginia traffic crashes. Half of them involved motorcycles; seven motorcycle operators and passengers lost their lives.
The fatal crashes occurred in Virginia Beach, and Campbell, Hanover, James City, Montgomery, Nelson, Pittsylvania, Rockbridge, Scott and Wythe counties. Last year’s 14 fatalities were up from 12 in 2022, and 10 in 2021.
Transportation officials, law enforcement and outreach organizations like Drive Smart Virginia work to push the number of crashes and fatalities toward zero. But it can’t be done without motorists who are free of distraction or impairment, said David Tenembaum, senior actuarial manager at Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co., who also serves as DSV treasurer.
“No matter where you are in Virginia, or how you plan to celebrate this long holiday weekend, we all share the responsibility of roadway safety,” he said. “Part of that responsibility is knowing traffic safety laws recently adopted in Virginia.”
In 2021, it became illegal in Virginia to hold a mobile device while driving. A “Do Not Disturb” app can block incoming correspondence while the vehicle is in motion. Otherwise, use your device’s hands-free options carefully.
Virginia’s Move Over law for emergency vehicles was amended in 2023. Drivers must now change lanes when possible or slow down for any vehicle on the roadside flashing amber or hazard lights, triangles or flares. This includes utility, tow and roadside assistance trucks.
The American Red Cross offers tips for safe Labor Day travel:
- Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, and observe speed limits. Clean your headlights, and turn them on as dusk approaches or in inclement weather.
- Don’t drink and drive. Have a designated driver available.
- Give your full attention to the road.
- Use caution in work zones (Virginia’s Move Over law does not apply in highway work zones).
- Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.
Media: Contact Matthew Demlein, VSP, at 804-839-1508; or Rich Jacobs, DSV, at 804-929-2988.