With 11 traffic deaths occurring over the Labor Day weekend, the preliminary number of total traffic deaths for Virginia in 2019 is quickly catching up to the 2018 to-date total. As of Sept. 1, there have been a reported 510 traffic fatalities statewide, compared to 520 fatalities last year on this date.

During the 2019 four-day holiday statistical counting period, 11 men and women were killed in nine traffic crashes across the Commonwealth. The traffic crashes occurred in the counties of Albemarle, Franklin, Goochland, Prince George, Prince William, Richmond, Spotsylvania and Wise. Prince William County had two separate fatal crashes occur over the Labor Day weekend. Prince William and Franklin counties each had one traffic crash that resulted in two deaths. State police investigated a total 684 traffic crashes during the holiday weekend.

Motorcycles were involved in three of the nine fatal traffic crashes.

The Virginia State Police participated in two annual, traffic-safety enforcement programs over the 2019 Labor Day weekend: Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (CARE) and Checkpoint Strikeforce. Operation CARE is a nationwide, state-sponsored traffic safety program that aims to reduce traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by impaired driving, speeding and failing to use occupant restraints. Virginia State Police’s participation in the program began Friday, Aug. 30, at 12:01 a.m., and concluded at midnight Monday, Sept. 2.

As a result of state police traffic safety enforcement efforts during the 2019 statistical counting period, Virginia troopers: stopped 7,279 speeders, stopped 2,283 reckless drivers, arrested 76 drivers for DUI/DUID, cited 723 seat belt violations and assisted 2,148 disabled/stranded motorists.