The Shadow
RICHMOND — Traffic volumes are down in Virginia as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the volume is beginning to rebound with the easing of public health restrictions.
As a result, the flow of traffic decreased, but speed and a lack of seat belt use have been factors in a rising number of Virginia traffic crashes and deaths.
Although the presence of fewer vehicles on the road has contributed to a decrease in overall crashes, there has been an increase in the percentage of crashes involving speed along with not wearing seat belts, and of deaths resulting from those crashes.
“Fewer vehicles on the road during the COVID-19 crisis have contributed to a 45 percent decrease in all crashes,” Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine told the Commonwealth Transportation Board on Friday.
“But it is of great concern to see that the number of fatalities involving both speed and unrestrained travelers has increased by 78 percent during this time period compared to 2019. We are urging all motorists to drive the posted speed limit and wear seat belts,” she said.
According to preliminary data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles from March 13-May 21, speed-related deaths make up about 50 percent of the overall fatalities, greater than in the same timeframe in 2019 (42 percent).
