During the 2021 Thanksgiving statistical-counting period, preliminary data show there were four fatal traffic crashes statewide, Virginia State Police said Dec. 2.
This is the lowest number of traffic fatalities during Thanksgiving period in more than a decade, officials said.
“Although even one life lost is a tragedy, this Thanksgiving has given us something to truly be thankful for,” said Col. Gary Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent.
The fatal crashes occurred in Albemarle, Chesterfield, Fairfax and Spotsylvania counties. Of those crashes, one victim was a pedestrian and another was not wearing a seat belt.
In an effort to prevent traffic deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday, Virginia State Police participated in Operation CARE (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort). Operation CARE is an annual, state-sponsored, national program during which state police increase their visibility and traffic-enforcement efforts during the five-day Thanksgiving period.
Troopers during the 2021 Thanksgiving Holiday CARE initiative cited 5,127 speeders and 1,565 reckless drivers statewide. Virginia troopers arrested 65 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs and cited 477 drivers for failing to buckle up themselves and/or juvenile passengers.