STAY PATIENT, SOBER AND ALIVE THIS MEMORIAL DAY AND BEYOND

Summer Driving Season Kicks Off

RICHMOND – Virginia State Police is reminding all drivers, young and old, to drive safe, smart and sober as we head into the Memorial Day weekend and summer. Last year, in 2024, there were 13 fatalities on Virginia roadways during the four-day statistical counting period for the Memorial Day holiday.*   In addition, in a seven-day period right after Memorial Day 2024, Virginia State Police investigated an additional 25 fatalities.

AAA Mid-Atlantic is forecasting a two-and-a-half percent increase in travel over the 2025 Memorial Day holiday, with over a million Virginians heading out on trips.   Almost ninety percent of them will be driving, meaning traffic will be heavy, and patience will be needed.

“This is a tremendously busy time of year, with graduations, vacations, parties and moves,” said Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police.  “We need Virginians to slow down, to exercise patience, drive safely and arrive alive.  We would rather you arrive late and alive than not at all.”

Beginning Friday, May 23, 2025, 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 2025 Memorial Day statistical counting period begins at 12:01 a.m. on May 23 and continues through midnight Monday, May 26, 2025. All available state police troopers and supervisors will be on patrol through the holiday weekend to help keep traffic moving safely and responsibly.

During the 2024 statistical counting period, troopers cited over 3,500 drivers for speeding and over 1,400 drivers for reckless driving.    Ninety-two drivers were arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DUID).  Virginia state troopers also cited 303 drivers for violating the “hands-free” phone law.

Virginia is also currently participating in the annual Click It or Ticket seatbelt education and enforcement campaign.  Over the 2024 holiday, there were 535 seatbelt violations and 112 child restraint citations issued by state police.  

Funds generated from summonses issued by Virginia State Police go directly to court fees and the state’s Literary Fund, which benefits public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.

*2024 Virginia Crash Facts, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles