Virginia Police Crack Down Thanksgiving Week: Buckle Up

RICHMOND, VA — Virginians are urged to buckle their seatbelts the week of Thanksgiving, which authorities will reinforce with more state troopers on the roads and increased traffic stops.

Preliminary data show that 54 percent of those who have died in traffic crashes this year were not wearing a seatbelt or safety restraint, according to the Virginia Highway Safety Office, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.

“The fact that more than half of those who have lost their lives in traffic crashes this year were not wearing a seatbelt is a tragic and inexcusable reality for Virginia,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police superintendent, in a statement. “Your family wants you to arrive safely and clicking a seatbelt can help that happen. Virginia State Police and your loved ones want you to arrive at your destination safely – ditch distractions, comply with posted speed limits, never drive buzzed or drunk, and, again, always buckle up.”

To prevent traffic deaths and injuries during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the Virginia State Police will once again be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. — Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort. As part of the state-sponsored, national program, state police will boost patrols visibility and traffic enforcement efforts from 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, through midnight Sunday, Nov. 27.

The 2021 Thanksgiving Operation C.A.R.E. initiative resulted in troopers citing 5,127 speeders and 1,565 reckless drivers statewide. Virginia troopers charged 65 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and cited 477 drivers for failing to buckle up themselves and/or juvenile passengers.

There were five traffic fatalities during the 2021 five-day Thanksgiving statistical counting period and 12 traffic fatalities during the same period in 2020.

This year, the Thanksgiving Holiday C.A.R.E. initiative falls within the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign. This enforcement and educational initiative aims to further emphasize the lifesaving value of seat belts for every person in a vehicle.

With increased patrols, Virginia State Police also reminds drivers of the state’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle stopped alongside the road. If unable to move over, drivers are required to cautiously pass the emergency vehicle. The law also applies to workers in vehicles equipped with amber lights.