Over the 2008 Fourth of July weekend, 12 men and women, including two motorcyclists, were killed on Virginia highways, according to a release from the Virginia State Police.
Last year, there were 17 fatalities in the Commonwealth.
VSP Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty calls this year’s decrease “encouraging,” but says it’s difficult to determine the factors causing the reduction in fatalities.
There were 504 fatalities last year at this time, compared to 411 this year.
“The 411 men, women, and children killed so far this year on our highways indicates we still have plenty of work to do,” Flaherty said.
Of this weekend’s fatalities, 10 of the 12 were males, though ages ranged from 17 to 85. Six were reported to have not worn seat belts. Alcohol was a factor in at least one fatal crash.
During the 2008 Fourth of July weekend, state police issued 16,994 traffic and criminal violations including: 149 for DUI; 7,697 for speeding; 2,053 for reckless driving; 292 for not using child restraints; and 803 for seat belt violations. State police also responded to 744 total traffic crashes.
