News Headlines
May 1, 2008
'Click it' success nets $5 million for W.Va.
In 1993, West Virginia became one of the last states to mandate wearing seat belts. Drivers still can't be stopped just for not wearing their seat belts. Despite that, more drivers buckle up in West Virginia than in just about any other state, federal officials said Wednesday.
The designation gives West Virginia a $5 million federal grant, which the state plans to use to help pay for laptop computers in police cars.
West Virginia had to have at least an 85 percent seat-belt usage for two consecutive years to qualify for the U.S. Department of Transportation grant. The state achieved an 88.5 percent rating in 2006 and 89.5 percent in 2007.
April 30, 2008
Driver Crashes Into Cop Cruiser, Car; Charged With DUI
April 20, 2008
Law Enforcement Offers Gift Certificates To Drivers Who Buckle Up
To get people to start wearing their seat belts, officers in Wise County, Coeburn, and the Virginia State Police will be conducting checkpoints... And they will reward drivers who buckle up with gift certificates to area restaurants.
April 18, 2008
Putting a stop to school-bus violators
Newport News drivers cited for zooming past where kids are disembarking.
April 4, 2008
New Technology Keeps an Eye on Teen Drivers
The DriveCam system begins recording when it senses bad driving. It records video which is sent directly to parents over the internet.
April 3, 2008
State police plan triple force on I-95
Troopers will be conducting "saturation" patrols in the so-called Highway Safety Corridor to promote traffic safety through stringent enforcement and increased visibility in an area that has a high volume of traffic and numerous interchanges.
April 2, 2008
Seat belts protect unborn babies: study
The University of Michigan researchers estimated that based on their findings, published on Wednesday, the lives of 200 of the roughly 370 fetuses killed yearly in U.S. vehicle crashes would be spared if all pregnant women wore seat belts.
April 1, 2008
Weekend Party Nets Multiple Arrests for Underage Drinking in Chesterfield County
March 20, 2008
Lack of seat belt use taking deadly toll in Virginia
Police agencies will start enforcing a zero-tolerance policy Sunday
March 19, 2008
Trooper: Teen drivers aren't worst on road
Arlington Driver License Checkpoint
The checkpoint is part of a special "Click it or Ticket" enforcement mobilization.
New Highway Signs Remind Motorists to Move Over or Slow Down When Passing Emergency Personnel
Virginia is one of 40 states with a Move Over law requiring drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to slow down when passing emergency personnel stopped out on the road. Violation of the law carries a punishment of up to a $2,500 fine and/or 12 months in jail.
Results Announced from ‘Running Red Could Be Deadly’ Operation in Chesterfield
March 18, 2008
Dash Cam Captures Oregon Cop Being Hit by Car
March 17, 2008
Click It or Ticket (Hampton Roads – WAVY 10)
March 16, 2008
Police In Va. Going After Seat Belt Violators
March 15, 2008
Click It or Ticket Begins in Harrisonburg
March 14, 2008
Non-Bucklers Beware –
Virginia State Police to Participate in Click It Or Ticket Mini-Enforcement Campaign (March 16-23, 2008)
VSP to Launch Click it or Ticket Week (Harrisonburg – WHSV 3)
March 12, 2008
York-Poquoson deputies plan 'Click It or Ticket' enforcement
March 11, 2008
Operation Air, Land & Speed Yields Record Totals on Interstates 81 and 95
16 DUI Arrests – 91 Drug/Felony Arrests – 0 Traffic Fatalities
March 7, 2008
Stricter Penalties Approved for Teen Drinking, Driving
The legislature voted this week to impose stiffer fines or more community service on underage drivers who drink, even if their blood alcohol level is below the legal limit. The measure also doubles, to one year, the amount of time a teen driver's license would be suspended.
Time To Change Habits & Clocks This Weekend
March 9-10 Virginia State Police to Saturate Interstates 95 & 81
March 6, 2008
Single vehicle crash claims three young lives in Sussex Co.
Troopers say speed was a factor in the fatal accident. Investigators believe Thomas Carr (23), who was driving, went off the left side of the road, over-corrected and slammed into a tree.
States weigh booster seat laws for kids
March 5, 2008
Crashes cost D.C. region $5 billion yearly
Traffic accidents cost the Washington area more than $5 billion a year in property damage, medical costs, travel delays and lost productivity, according to a report released today by AAA. That's $970 per person, the travel association said.
March 4, 2008
Study outlines risks for kids riding with teens
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for tweens and teens, and a new study outlines some of the most dangerous circumstances: Riding unbuckled with new teen drivers on high-speed roads. These were the three biggest risk factors contributing to car crash deaths for passengers aged 8 to 17, the study found.
March 3, 2008
Deadly drivers: Urge to drive makes solutions tough
While the state doesn’t track how many drivers get behind the wheel without a valid license, police and court officials say many get caught again and again.
March 2, 2008
Consumer Alert: Car Seat Recall
Combi USA is recalling 67,000 child safety seats
The Good New Days: Riding Bicycles and Walking Solve Traffic, Poliution, and Health Problems
Deadly drivers: Police, courts can't keep up with illegal drivers
February 25, 2008
Cities try to improve crosswalk safety
February 22, 2008
Crackdown on underage drinking in Henrico
February 21, 2008
Va. will have less money for roads
Weakening economy to cut $1.1 billion from six-year projections
February 20, 2008
Senate OKs alcohol-sales legislation
One bill would let ABC stores be open on Sunday in Richmond, other cities
Give Kids A Boost
Children who have outgrown forward facing toddler seats need to transition into booster seats.
February 19, 2008
Winter 2008 Smart, Safe & Sober Newsletter now available!
February 17, 2008
Police say seat belts may have saved lives in car wreck
February 9, 2008
Man faces charges after multi-car accident on I-64 in Henrico
Police say if someone ahead of you slows down, you should slow down too
February 2, 2008
Drunk Driver Critically Injures VSP Trooper on Interstate 81
A Virginia State Police trooper remains in the hospital Saturday after having been struck and severely injured by a drunk driver Friday night (Feb. 1, 2008) on Interstate 81 in Southwest Virginia.
January 30, 2008
USDOT Secretary Peters Announces New Five Star Rating System for Car Seats
Secretary Peters and National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Nicole Nason outlined the new star rating system at an Arlington, Va., fire station today, and released new star ratings for 78 child safety seats currently on the market.
January 28, 2008
Another Life Likely Saved by a Seat Belt
Ashley Foster has proven once again that clicking her seat belt before driving out of her driveway in all likelihood saved her life.
January 27, 2008
Child safety seat rides to life-saving milestone
Child safety in the car used to be standing up next to Daddy in the front seat and counting on him to thrust his arm out quickly to keep you from going through the windshield. It’s been 30 years this month, however, since the first child safety seat law went into effect in Tennessee and changed the concept of child safety in the car forever.
January 23, 2008
Lynchburg woman given seat belt award whose life saved by one
Ashley Foster remembers the moment when the world stopped spinning and her Ford Expedition landed on its wheels after careening 75 feet down an embankment. Her head hurt. Glass was everywhere. The airbags in the car had inflated - all but hers. But she was still in the car, held tight by the seat belt that very possibly saved her life.
‘Driving While Texting’ Bill Killed
Adult cell phone addicts won’t be charged with “driving while texting,” at least for now.
Swift Virginia House vote advances fee repeal
January 22, 2008
Making a smarter crash test dummy
January 17, 2008
Tougher seatbelt law passes Virginia Senate committee
The Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday approved, 8-4, a bill sponsored by Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-Alexandria, that would make the violation of the state's seat belt law a primary offense, meaning an officer could stop and ticket you solely for not buckling up. The proposal, SB649, came weeks after the deadliest year on Virginia roads since 1981. Virginia State Police announced earlier this month that 1,012 people were killed in traffic wrecks in 2007.
January 11, 2008
'Meanest Mom' Sells Son's Car, Family Gets Quite a Ride
"OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."
Sport Motorcycles Linked to Soaring Number of Deaths in Florida
According to the latest official statistics available, motorcycle deaths in Florida are skyrocketing, from 164 in 1997 to 521 in 2006. Per capita, that represents a 100 percent increase.
January 4, 2008
Abusive-driver fees under fire
Lt. Governor calls for full repeal
On Thursday, William T. "Bill" Bolling mailed a letter to Republican members and members-elect of the General Assembly outlining his proposal. In the letter, Bolling says the "repeal or revision of the abusive driver fee legislation that was enacted by the General Assembly last year" is "one of the important issues we will consider this year."
January 2, 2008
Virginia Loses More Than 1,000 Lives to Traffic Crashes in 2007
10 Killed in Traffic Crashes During New Year’s Holiday Weekend
December 29, 2007
Triple fatality pushes Virginia highway deaths over 1,000 for 2007
One thousand highway deaths in one year is a tragic milestone, and it was reached under tragic circumstances Saturday, with a triple fatality.
December 28, 2007
Grim milestone of 1,000 killed in '07 on Va. highways is near
Virginians may awake Friday morning to the 1,000th traffic fatality of the year, a milestone in highway mayhem not reached since 1990. As of Thursday evening, Virginia's law enforcement agencies had recorded 997 fatalities despite public pleas for motorists to slow down, drive sober and wear seat belts.
December 20, 2007
Governor Kaine Urges Virginia Motorists to Drive Safely This Holiday Season
Virginia nears a 17-year high in number of traffic deaths
As of Dec. 6, the Commonwealth has experienced more fatalities in 2007 than in all of 2006. At the current rate of traffic deaths, Virginia’s 2007 highway death toll could break 1,000 traffic fatalities for the first time since 1990. Read more...
December 18, 2007
Traffic enforcement stepped up on pre-Christmas weekend
Virginia State Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police have designated the weekend before Christmas as “National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend.'' Read more...
December 17, 2007
Celebrate the Season with Your Loved Ones This Holiday Season — Drive Safe & Sober
Dec. 21-23, 2007 – Operation CARE/Holiday Lifesaver Weekend
Within the past two weeks, at least 35 individuals have died in 33 traffic crashes across the Commonwealth. Of the 35 people killed from December 1-17, 2007, five were motorcyclists and another four were pedestrians who were struck and killed by a vehicle. Of the remaining 26 fatalities, 14 drivers and passengers were not buckled up. Of all 33 traffic crashes, eight were alcohol-related. Read more...
December 6, 2007
Study Questions Va. Driver Fees, Raising the Possibility of Repeal
State auditors found that they have not affected traffic safety and might not raise as much money as expected. The report describes confusion over which offenses can trigger the fees and indicates that some police officers are choosing not to write tickets for violations that carry the fees
December 5, 2007
More than 7,000 truckers pledge to drive safe on Interstate 81
Seat Belt Use Rate Among Truckers Increases by 22%
December 4, 2007
Deaths on state roads near 1,000
Virginia's sad tally is closing in on a mark not reached since 1990
Winter Weather May Cause Hazardous Driving Conditions
Motorists Urged to Drive Carefully
Va. may face tougher seatbelt laws
National statistics show fewer people die in car crashes in states that have stronger seat belt enforcement laws. Now, some believe Virginia should tighten theirs. From January to October this year, police records show 380 out of 810 people killed in traffic crashes were not wearing their seatbelt.
High schoolers repeat messages to buckle up, don't drink & drive
Lord Botetourt and James River High School students have joined forces to encourage their peers be safe and responsible drivers—all in an effort to save a live or lives.
December 3, 2007
Operation Air, Land & Speed IX Results in Zero Traffic Fatalities During Its Two Day Operation
First Time Interstate 66 Is Focus of Traffic Safety Program
Ready Virginia Focuses on Getting Prepared for Winter
Winter Preparedness Week: Dec. 2-8, 2007
November 29, 2007
Child Seat Safety Made Easy
AAA Mid-Atlantic and Safe Kids Virginia partnered together with Prince George Safe Kids, Virginia Department of Health and the Fort Lee Police to offer free car seat safety checks at the Babies Us on Rittenhouse Road in Midlothian on Wednesday, Nov. 21.
Driving Home Safety
Thirty-seven people lost their lives on Fairfax County roads during the first 10 months of 2007 and 10 of those victims — 27 percent — were under 21 years old.
Harrisonburg Wreck Kills Teen; Driver Charged
Man Faces Vehicular Manslaughter Charges
November 27, 2007
Holiday accidents stay level
A stark slogan didn't curb highway fatalities, as 16 people died, same as '06, over Thanksgiving.
November 26, 2007
Sixteen People Killed on Virginia Highways During 2007 Thanksgiving Holiday
State Police Preparing for Ninth Phase of Operation Air, Land & Speed
November 24, 2007
Car's 'black box' and what it tells
EDRs can hold answers to crashes, but also raise privacy questions.
November 22, 2007
Concern Grows as Teens Die In Crashes
Parents, Officials Talk Seat Belts, Rethink Curfews
Albemarle County police fight bad traffic
In light of the 18 traffic-related deaths so far this year in Albemarle County, police will increase the number of officers on patrol during the holiday season.
Increased holiday patrol
For 120 consecutive hours the Virginia State Police will be working overtime to keep the roads safe.
November 20, 2007
Virginia State Police Increase Patrols for Thanksgiving Weekend Safety
Motorists Asked to Increase Awareness of Emergency Personnel by Moving Over & Slowing Down
Safe Walking
Colonial Heights gets grant that makes it safer for students to walk to school
November 19, 2007
Motorists Advised to “Move Over” for Troopers During Holiday Season
U. S. Transportation Secretary Peters Catches Bus to School, Proposes New Safety Rules for School Buses
Turkey Day Travelers
Crowded roads, airports expected for holiday despite higher gas prices
Illegal immigrant to serve 24 years then face deportation
Alfredo Ramos pleaded guilty on August 13 to two counts of aggravated involuntary manslaughter. Alison Kunhardt, 17, and Tessa Tranchant, 16, were killed March 30 when their car was struck from behind by a vehicle driven by Ramos while sitting at a stoplight at Virginia Beach Boulevard and Kings Grant Road.
November 17, 2007
Bedford City officer recounts being hit by truck
As many of us head to the highways for the holidays, law enforcement is renewing its emphasis on a state law adopted in 2002 that requires motorists to safely move into the next lane. If the driver is not able to do so, they are required to slow down and proceed with caution or face a steep fine.
November 16, 2007
Campaign asks; Are you Virginia's next traffic fatality?
With the busy Thanksgiving travel season upon us, state police want to keep fatalities to a minimum, and are asking for your help. The number of deadly crashes is on the rise, and police worry the holidays could bring even more tragedy to the highways.
Drive Smart Va. announces Thanksgiving "Click It or Ticket"
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s think about more than parades, turkey and football. With more motorists expected to travel during this holiday than any other throughout the year, drivers need to think about making sure their love ones are buckled up properly in safety belts and approved child restraints.
Fake speed signs garner speeders real tickets
Seatbelt crackdown planned for Prince William
Prince William County Police will join law enforcement agencies throughout Virginia in the "Click It or Ticket" mobilization to enforce the Commonwealth's safety belt and child safety seat laws.
Henrico Police suspect road rage in shooting
Richmond area crashes injure two, kill two
One pedestrian killed, one injured crossing Broad Street in western Henrico
November 8, 2007
Motorcycle deaths on the rise in Virginia
Motorcycle crashes and subsequent fatalities are on the rise in Virginia. According to a news release from the DMV, Virginia has seen an 87% increase in motorbike fatalities compared to this time last year.
November 7, 2007
Police on motorcycles hit the interstates this week
It's not your imagination. There really are police on motorcycles all over the interstates this week. Since Monday, at least 35 state troopers, sheriff's deputies and police officers on motorcycles have been patrolling Hampton Roads highways in an enforcement campaign called Motor Enforcement Accident Reduction or MEAR.
Providence Forge man dies in crash
Virginia's 2007 highway death toll yesterday was 869, compared with 808 as of the same day last year.
November 5, 2007
As night falls earlier, be more alert on roads
With daylight saving time ending yesterday, the amount of time people spend driving in darkness increases, and so does the potential for crashes.
November 4, 2007
How to ... avoid hitting a deer
Drivers, take caution. Deer season is upon us. Deer-vehicle collisions can occur any time of the year, but the numbers are especially high during the fall months. Nationwide, these collisions result in 150 deaths, tens of thousands of injuries and more than $1 billion in vehicle damage a year.
November 2, 2007
Drowsy driving is big killer in U.S.
Drowsy driving kills more than 1,550 people a year in the United States and causes 71,000 injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which estimates there are 100,000 sleep-related crashes a year.
November 1, 2007
NTSB SAFETY ALERT: Nation Stuck in 'Decade-Long' Plateau of Drunk Driving Deaths
In 2006, 17,602 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. NTSB Chair Mark Rosenker said that "hard core drinking drivers" — those who drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or greater, or who are arrested for driving while impaired within 10 years of a prior DWI arrest — are involved in about 54 percent of those fatal crashes.
DOT Secretary Peters Announces Action Plan to Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities
With motorcycle rider fatalities now accounting for 11 percent of total fatalities, and dramatically affect the Nation’s overall highway fatality rate, Secretary Peters wants renewed focus on reducing crashes and the resulting injuries and deaths. Read the plan (PDF)
October 26, 2007
Family bets GPS will help beat teen's ticket
October 24, 2007
Virginia wrecks are fatal to eight
A Staunton teenager, Brittney B. Inglemen, 18, died yesterday after she was ejected from a car during a crash in Augusta County. Inglemen, who was not wearing a seat belt, died at the scene. State police also reported seven other road fatalities, bringing Virginia's 2007 highway death toll to 821 yesterday, compared with 764 at the same time last year.
October 23, 2007
Tickets for bad driving fell after law
October 22, 2007
Consumer Alert: NHTSA Announces ‘Marathon’ Child Safety Seat Recall from Britax
October 16, 2007
Operation Safe Driver Targets CMV, Non-CMV Drivers
Campaign Seeks to Educate, Enforce, Change Aggressive Driving Behaviors
October 15, 2007
Operation Air, Land and Speed VIII Reduces Highway Fatalities From One End of Virginia’s Border to the Other
No Fatalities along Interstates 81 & 95 during Two Day Safety Campaign
October 14, 2007
2 police cruisers sideswiped along I-95
Neither officer is injured in separate incidents in Chesterfield and Henrico
October 10, 2007
Put the Brakes on Fatalities
The month of October is among the peak months for traffic fatalities in Virginia and the nation. In 2005, more people were injured and more people were killed in the month of October than in any other month that year. In 2006, October led the year for having the most total traffic crashes and the most traffic crash injuries.
October 9, 2007
GM OnStar System Could Halt Stolen Cars
Starting with about 20 models for 2009, the service will be able to slowly halt a car that is reported stolen, and the radio may even speak up and tell the thief to pull over because police are watching.
October 8, 2007
'It's going to make it safer for us'
Henrico man pushed for a Brook Road sidewalk to help disabled people
October 3, 2007
Seat belt safety
"Nationally, we have about 43 thousand fatalities a year and the big piece of the pie is seat belt usage and trying to get people to wear seat belts more often" according to Stefan Duma, a researcher at Virginia Tech who works at the Center for Injury Biomechanics.
October 3, 2007
EDITORIAL: A plaque, a certificate and public awareness
Several times a year, Sgt. Tim Wyatt, traffic coordinator for the Roanoke County Police Department, organizes a ceremony during which people are honored for wearing seat belts.
October 2, 2007
VDOT, DMV, State Police Partner to Reduce Highway Fatalities
Safety challenge issued to Virginia drivers
September 24, 2007
Mock crash shows 'it could happen to you'
A mock crash at Glenvar High School taught students about the potential dangers of driving.
More Americans Buckle Up and Wear Their Helmets In 2007
September 17, 2007
From laptops to sex, drivers have more distractions
September 15, 2007
Raising roadway awareness: VSP concerned with number of teen fatalities in Tazewell County
September 7, 2007
Albemarle County police stepped up presence over Labor Day weekend
September 5, 2007
VDOT program stresses work zone safety to teens
August 30, 2007
N.C. deputy hurt at "Border to Border" checkpoint expected to recover
August 28, 2007
Virginia Law Enforcement Mobilizes In Statewide Sobriety Checkpoint Blitz
2006 Spike in Local Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities Signals Warning
August 25, 2007
Study aims to cut Va. motor deaths
August 23, 2007
Fix for driver fees in the works
Republican leaders will present a plan that says fees should apply to all
August 22, 2007
Drunken driving deaths up in Va.
16.1 percent increase in the state runs counter to decline in rest of U.S.
(Older News...)
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