Virginians Encouraged in 2006 to Practice Safe-Driving Basics; 21 Killed Over Holidays

Drivers and passengers are being encouraged to make 2006 the year of practicing safe-driving basics.

Virginia closed out 2005 with a slight increase in statewide traffic fatalities over the previous year. Preliminary numbers indicate traffic crashes claimed 932 lives on Virginia’s roadways in 2005, compared to 922 in 2004.

Virginia also experienced an increase in traffic fatalities during the Christmas holiday counting period. From 6 p.m. Dec. 22, 2005 through midnight Dec. 26, 2005, 11 men and women were killed in 11 traffic crashes statewide, according to preliminary statistics. Two of the crashes were alcohol-related and seven of those killed were not wearing safety belts.

The Christmas holiday fatalities took place in the counties of Carroll, Frederick, Greensville, King George, Lee, Montgomery, Richmond, Shenandoah and Warren, as well as the Town of Independence. One of the traffic fatalities involved a female pedestrian who was struck and killed in Fairfax County.

New Year’s traffic deaths decreased in 2005. Preliminary numbers indicate 10 lost their lives on Virginia’s roadways compared to 11 in 2004. Alcohol was a factor in two of the fatal crashes and six of those killed were not wearing safety belts.

The New Year’s holiday began at 6 p.m. Dec. 30, 2005 and ended at midnight Jan. 2, 2006. Two of the fatal crashes occurred in Prince William County. Craig County had a single crash New Year’s Eve that claimed the lives of both the driver and passenger. On Jan. 2, a student was killed upon departing a school bus in New Kent County. The remaining fatalities took place in the counties of Caroline, Carroll, Fairfax, Orange and York.