Impaired, Speeding Drivers Target Of Extra VA Police Patrols This Labor Day

VIRGINIA — Virginia State Police plan to increase patrols on state roads this Labor Day weekend to crack down on distracted and speeding drivers in an effort to reduce crash deaths, the agency said Tuesday.

Starting Friday, Virginia State Police will kick off Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort, a program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries due to impaired driving, speed, and failing to wear a seat belt.

During the campaign, Virginia State Police plan to increase patrols, the agency said. The campaign will continue through Labor Day.

“There is no better time than now for Virginians to adopt and practice smart and safe driving behaviors,” Superintendent of Virginia State Police Gary Settle said in a statement.

Virginia had a deadly start to the summer driving season, according to authorities, with state police investigating 25 deaths in the week following Memorial Day alone.

As Virginians approach the end of the season, preliminary numbers show that highway fatalities are at almost the same pace in 2024 as in 2023 — 504 in 2024 as of Aug. 15th vs. 514 in 2023.

Over last year's Labor Day weekend, Virginia State Police arrested 73 people for driving while intoxicated and cited nearly 4,500 speeders and more than 1,900 reckless drivers. In all, 14 people died in traffic crashes last Labor Day weekend, authorities said.

“Let’s end the year strong by slowing down, avoiding distractions, wearing our seatbelts and driving sober," Settle said.