Virginia State Police ask drivers to follow safe driving tips

With the holidays almost here, as well as the start of the New Year, Virginia State Police is asking everyone driving across the Commonwealth to help end the year on a good note.   Preliminary data shows fatalities on the roads are down this year.  As of Dec. 15, 2025, 704 people have lost their lives on a Virginia roadway. 813 people died on Virginia roadways at this time in 2024.

“While we are pleased with fact that fatalities continue to trend lower, there are still far too many deaths on Virginia’s roadways,” said Colonel Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of Virginia State Police.  “We will continue to do all we can to keep drivers safe on the roads.  We need people to continue to heed the messages of buckling up, driving the speed limit, avoiding distractions, and driving sober.”

In 2024, there were 318 people killed in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia.*

If you do plan to attend parties this holiday season, there are several options to be able to get home safely:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or call a friend, call family, call a cab, or use public transportation.
• If you know someone who has been drinking – Do not let them drive. Arrange another safe way home.
• Remain alert for impaired drivers and do not hesitate to notify law enforcement by dialing #77 (hands free only or have a passenger call) to notify your nearest Virginia State Police Emergency Communications Center. Your actions could save someone’s life.

Virginia State Police is, once again, participating in Operation C.A.R.E. – Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort.   The operation starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, and runs through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.

State law also changed this year to require that all occupants of a vehicle, no matter where they are seated, wear a seatbelt of an age-appropriate restraint.  In 2024, 322 people who were not buckled up died in a Virginia car crash.*

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