5 Die in Car Accidents This Thanksgiving, Fewest Deaths in Virginia Since 1992

Even with snow storms across the state and 46.3 million traveling this Thanksgiving, Virginia saw the fewest number of traffic related deaths in decades.

Five people passed away from car accidents during the holiday, according to the Virginia State Police. State police define the holiday as 12:01 a.m. Wednesday morning, Nov. 26 to midnight Sunday, Nov. 30.

Last year, 12 people died in traffic accidents during the same five day period. The last time Virginia had as few as five fatalities was in 1992.

Virginia police, who participated in a nation wide program to increase police visibility during holidays, ask residents to continue driving responsibly.

“As encouraging as this significant decline in traffic deaths is for Virginia, drivers still must maintain their commitment to safe driving practices, especially as we head into the holiday season,” Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent, said in a press release.

“December kicks off National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month, so we ask all motorists to only drive when sober. Even a little bit to drink can earn you a DUI and cause you to be involved in a crash.”

Two of the five deaths during Thanksgiving this year involved alcohol, according to Virginia police. In total, Virginia State Troopers stopped 9,789 speeders, 2,312 reckless drivers, arrested and charged 90 drivers for DUI and cited 693 safety belt violations during the holiday.

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