VSP urge Virginians to drive safely over holiday season

As the holidays and the start of 2025 draw near, the Virginia State Police (VSP) is calling on all Virginians and travelers in the Commonwealth to prioritize safety on the roads. The agency’s primary goal this holiday season is to ensure that everyone arrives at their destinations safely.

Preliminary data reveals that as of December 20, 810 lives have been lost on Virginia roadways this year—12 fewer than the same period in 2023.

“During the Thanksgiving holiday, it appears Virginians heeded our message, and we saw a decrease in fatalities,” said Lt. Col. Matt Hanley, Interim Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “We hope to continue this positive trend and experience a holiday season with no roadway fatalities.”

To achieve this goal, Virginia State Police is urging drivers to follow these safety measures:

• Avoid distractions and stay focused on the road.
• Slow down and adhere to speed limits.
• Buckle up—seatbelts save lives.
• Drive sober—never get behind the wheel impaired.

In 2023, 293 people in Virginia lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes, marking a nearly 7% increase from the prior year. Tragically, 335 unbuckled individuals died in vehicle crashes last year. Over Thanksgiving 2024, only two fatal crashes involved victims wearing seatbelts.

For those attending holiday parties, VSP advises the following steps to ensure everyone gets home safely:

• Plan ahead by designating a sober driver, calling a friend or family member, using a cab, or utilizing public transportation.
• Intervene if someone you know has been drinking—do not let them drive. Arrange a safe alternative.
• Stay vigilant for impaired drivers. If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, dial #77 (hands-free or via a passenger) to alert your nearest Virginia State Police Emergency Communications Center. Your call could save a life.

As part of the ongoing “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, VSP has increased enforcement efforts to deter impaired driving and keep roadways safe during the holiday season.

Virginia State Police urges everyone to make responsible choices behind the wheel to help prevent tragedies this holiday season.