Summer Safety Campaign highlights importance of safe driving

As summer travel increases across Virginia, state officials and safety advocates are emphasizing the importance of safe driving during what has traditionally been known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer.”

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day typically sees an increase in traffic crashes involving speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and other risky behaviors. Teen drivers are particularly vulnerable during the summer months when school is out and more young motorists are on the road.

To address those concerns, the Gweedo Memorial Foundation and Virginia State Police are launching Virginia’s “100 Safest Days of Summer” campaign, an effort aimed at promoting safer driving habits through education, awareness, and community engagement.

The campaign’s message is especially relevant on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where U.S. Route 13 serves as the region’s primary transportation corridor and carries thousands of vehicles through Accomack and Northampton counties each day.

Route 13 is the Eastern Shore’s busiest roadway, connecting local communities with Hampton Roads, Maryland, and points beyond. The highway handles a mix of local traffic, commuters, tourists, commercial trucks, farm equipment, and emergency vehicles, creating a variety of driving conditions throughout the year.

While the corridor has seen numerous safety improvements over the years, including intersection upgrades, turn lanes, and median modifications, serious crashes continue to occur. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and failure to wear seat belts remain among the leading contributing factors in many fatal and serious injury crashes investigated by law enforcement.

Safety officials note that many crashes are preventable and encourage motorists to slow down, eliminate distractions, obey traffic laws, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The campaign also encourages drivers to remain alert during periods of heavy summer travel, particularly on weekends and holidays when traffic volumes increase across the Shore.

Virginia State Police and other agencies involved in the initiative hope the focus on prevention and responsible driving will help reduce crashes and save lives during the busy summer travel season.

The statewide campaign officially launches June 17 at Virginia State Police Headquarters in Richmond and will continue through Labor Day.