West Virginia and Virginia State police remind motorists to be safe this Memorial Day
May 24—State troopers serving West Virginia and Virginia will be watching this year's busy Memorial Day traffic to insure that motorists are driving safely and soberly to and from their holiday destinations.
The West Virginia State Police was reminding drivers to travel safely during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, said Capt. R.A. Maddy, deputy chief of staff for the West Virginia State Police.
Starting Thursday, May 23, through Tuesday, May 28, West Virginia troopers will participate in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort looking for seat belt violations, intoxicated drivers, speeding or breaking other traffic laws, Maddy said.
Troopers will be increasing their visibility on the highways during this time and will also be out to help motorists in need of assistance, he said.
Travelers going north and south along the section of Interstate 77 through Mercer County and Raleigh County, also known as the West Virginia Turnpike, will be seeing more trooper activity, too.
The West Virginia State Police Troop 7 Turnpike started Tuesday conducting a Targeted Traffic Enforcement Initiative on the West Virginia Turnpike and will continue through May 28th in an effort to keep motorists safe during the Memorial Day Holiday travel.
Officials with Troop 7 Turnpike asked people traveling the West Virginia Turnpike to be patient on the roadway and at the toll plazas as a high volume of traffic is expected; to obey the posted speed limits; wear their seatbelts; don't drink and drive; stay off of their cellphones while driving and to move over when they see a trooper on a traffic stop or a Courtesy Patrol Member aiding a stranded motorist.
West Virginia's troopers will be out in force between the 9 and the 96 mile markers of the West Virginia Turnpike conducting specialized patrols consisting of Click It or Ticket; distracted driving; speed patrols and DUI patrols as well as enforcing all other criminal and traffic laws in West Virginia, investigating crashes and ensuring the motoring public's general safety.
In Virginia, state troopers are now watching the holiday traffic, too.
With the Memorial Day weekend falling in the midst of graduation season, the Virginia State Police is reminding drivers of all ages to drive smart, safe and sober. In addition, AAA Mid-Atlantic is forecasting a four percent increase in Memorial Day travel, meaning Virginia's highways will be even more crowded as people head to graduation events and holiday festivities. During the 2023 Memorial Day weekend, there were nine fatal traffic crashes statewide in Virginia.
"As of May 23, 2024, Virginia has lost 294 adults, teenagers and young children to traffic crashes in the first 144 days of this year," said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. "This is such a busy time of year for everyone, which is why it is imperative for drivers to slow down and remember to buckle up, avoid distractions and always driver sober. I also cannot stress enough the importance of talking with your teenagers and young adult drivers about safe driving behaviors. While so many are celebrating the conclusion of the school year and looking ahead to a fun summer, there are a few hundred other Virginians, instead, mourning the loss of those 294 loved ones. Let's make traffic safety a priority and prevent that next fatal crash from happening."
Last year, nine people in Virginia were killed in crashes over the Memorial Day Holiday statistical counting period. Beginning Friday, VSP will join law enforcement around the country for the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E), a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries due to impaired driving, speed and failing to wear a seat belt. The 2024 Memorial Day statistical counting period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and continues through midnight Monday, May 27. All available state police troopers and supervisors will be on patrol through the holiday weekend to help keep traffic moving safely and responsibly.
The Virginia State Police is also reminding drivers of recent changes to Virginia's "Move Over" law, which now require drivers to either move over a lane, or slow down, for any vehicle on the side of road using emergency markers, flashing lights or flares.
Contact Greg Jordan at
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
