RICHMOND -
Virginia State police say more people died on Virginia roads during this past Labor Day holiday compared to last year. But police add overall highway deaths are down for the year.
State police report 13 people died in 11 crashes over the four-day holiday weekend. Last year state police say seven people were killed. Twenty-two people lost their lives in traffic crashes over the 2007 Labor Day weekend.
"It is discouraging to see fatalities escalate during the Labor Day weekend, during a time when the Commonwealth is largely experiencing a drop in fatalities," says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent.
"What this says is, the need is still there to remind drivers they are taking their own lives, their passengers' and other motorists' lives into their own hands when they get behind the wheel. State police cannot emphasize enough the importance of putting safety first, so you or your loved one doesn't become the next statistic on Virginia's roads."
State police say four of the crashes involved motorcycles. Those crashes happened in Suffolk, James City County, Patrick County and Pittsylvania County.
Other fatalities took place in Newport News, Vienna, Buchanan County , Fairfax County , James City County , Lee County and Prince William County.
Police say alcohol was a factor in two of the vehicles crashes, one motorcycle crash and unknown in four others.
During the 2009 Labor Day statistical counting period, Virginia State Police: · Patrolled 325,570 miles
· Assisted 2,969 motorists
· Stopped 9,386 speeders
· Cited 2,587 reckless drivers
· Arrested 90 impaired drivers
· Cited 827 safety belt violations & 251 child restraint violations
· Responded to 621 total traffic crashes.
State police report 13 people died in 11 crashes over the four-day holiday weekend. Last year state police say seven people were killed. Twenty-two people lost their lives in traffic crashes over the 2007 Labor Day weekend.
"It is discouraging to see fatalities escalate during the Labor Day weekend, during a time when the Commonwealth is largely experiencing a drop in fatalities," says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent.
"What this says is, the need is still there to remind drivers they are taking their own lives, their passengers' and other motorists' lives into their own hands when they get behind the wheel. State police cannot emphasize enough the importance of putting safety first, so you or your loved one doesn't become the next statistic on Virginia's roads."
State police say four of the crashes involved motorcycles. Those crashes happened in Suffolk, James City County, Patrick County and Pittsylvania County.
Other fatalities took place in Newport News, Vienna, Buchanan County , Fairfax County , James City County , Lee County and Prince William County.
Police say alcohol was a factor in two of the vehicles crashes, one motorcycle crash and unknown in four others.
During the 2009 Labor Day statistical counting period, Virginia State Police: · Patrolled 325,570 miles
· Assisted 2,969 motorists
· Stopped 9,386 speeders
· Cited 2,587 reckless drivers
· Arrested 90 impaired drivers
· Cited 827 safety belt violations & 251 child restraint violations
· Responded to 621 total traffic crashes.
