Virginia State Police urge caution ahead of Memorial Day Weekend travel surge

As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Virginia State Police (VSP) are urging all motorists to prioritize safety, responsibility, and sobriety on the roadways. In 2024, the four-day Memorial Day statistical period saw 13 fatalities on Virginia roads. In the week following the holiday, an additional 25 fatal crashes were investigated by VSP.

With AAA Mid-Atlantic projecting a 2.5% increase in travel for the 2025 holiday period, more than one million Virginians are expected to travel. Nearly 90% of those travelers will be driving, prompting warnings about heavy traffic and the need for increased patience behind the wheel.

“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 at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 23, VSP will join the nationwide Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort). The enforcement campaign, which continues through midnight on Monday, May 26, aims to reduce crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by speeding, impaired driving, and failure to wear seat belts. All available troopers and supervisors will be on patrol throughout the holiday period.

During last year’s Memorial Day counting period, VSP issued more than 3,500 speeding citations and over 1,400 reckless driving summonses. Ninety-two drivers were arrested for driving under the influence. Additionally, 303 motorists were cited for violations of Virginia’s hands-free phone law.

The Commonwealth is also participating in the national Click It or Ticket campaign. In 2024, VSP issued 535 seat belt citations and 112 child restraint violations during the holiday weekend.

Revenue from summonses issued by Virginia State Police contributes to the state’s Literary Fund, which supports public school construction, technology initiatives, and teacher retirement programs.