State police upping enforcement for holiday

More Virginia State Police will be out on the roads this weekend than normal, according to a Virginia State Police press release.

Seventy- five percent of the patrol force will be working, as part of the Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (Operation C.A.R.E.). Operation C.A.R.E is a state-sponsored, national program designed to decrease crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by speeding, impaired driving and the failure to use seat belts.

The traffic safety program is conducted during the year's national holidays.

Last year during the holiday weekend 15 people died in traffic crashes. Eleven of those were not wearing safety belts. Of the total 1,160 traffic crashes state police responded to during the 2006 holiday weekend, 214 involved injuries.

In 2006, Virginia State Police statewide stopped 8,272 speeders; cited 3,042 reckless drivers; arrested 151 impaired drivers; and cited 712 motorists for not wearing safety belts and 224 child restraint violations, the release states.

This year's 120-hour Thanksgiving statistical counting period begins Wednesday, Nov. 21, and ends at midnight Sunday, Nov. 25, police said.

"With more than a million travelers forecasted for the upcoming holiday weekend in Virginia, our interstates and highways will be busier than ever," said Col. Flaherty. "Therefore, it is critical that every driver and passenger evaluate his or her driving behaviors, risks, and priorities when it comes to traffic safety. Virginia has already exceeded 900 traffic deaths this year. How many more is Virginia willing to lose to vehicle crashes-"

State police are also reminding motorists to comply with Virginia's "Move Over" law, which requires a driver to move over to another travel lane or, when not able to, to slow down when passing emergency personnel stopped out on the road. Violation of the law carries a punishment of up to $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.