The Shadow
RICHMOND – Virginia State Police are joining other law enforcement agencies in various safe holiday driving campaigns in recognition of Drunk and Drugged Driving (3-D) Prevention Month.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) designated through Sunday National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend.
Virginia State Police and local law enforcement are maximizing their enforcement efforts on “problem” roads during the time period that is traditionally the most popular for holiday festivities and alcohol consumption.
Virginia State Police will also participate in Checkpoint Strikeforce during the remaining weeks of December through the first of January. Troopers will conduct roving enforcement patrols on designated roadways as well as sobriety checkpoints statewide. State police are just one of several state and local law enforcement agencies participating in the annual campaign to raise public awareness throughout the Mid-Atlantic region about the deadly dangers of drunk driving.
“Typically, this weekend marks the beginning of many holiday celebrations and traveling for families and friends across the commonwealth,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police.
Virginia is is seeing an increase in traffic fatalities as reports indicated 716 individuals have died in crashes compared to 705 for the same time period last year.
