Memorial Day Driving 

Memorial Day weekend, traditionally the start of summer and the summer driving season, is also annually one of the deadliest holidays on Virginia's roadways. And while last year’s seven traffic-related fatalities over the four-day holiday was a sharp reduction from the recent past, the Virginia Highway Safety Office has a list of reminders for drivers to keep the numbers trending downward:

• Buckle up, and obey the speed limit
• Don’t drive distracted by talking, or worse texting, on your cell phone
•  Be extra attentive to the road—the increased traffic also increases risks
• Plan to arrive at your destination early to avoid nighttime driving
• Stop and rest at least every two hours to avoid driver fatigue
• Under no circumstances should you drink and drive

As of May 15, there were 244 traffic deaths on Virginia's roads, compared to 255 for the same time period in 2009. Last year saw the lowest number of traffic fatalities in one year (756) since traffic deaths began being recorded in 1966.

“Every life counts and the only acceptable number of deaths on our roadways is zero,” says Virginia Highway Safety Office Director John Saunders.

In stark contrast to those numbers, both motorcycle and pedestrian deaths are on the rise this year. As of May 15, 21 motorcyclists have died on Virginia's roads, a 31 percent increase from last year. Similarly, 29 pedestrians have died in Virginia since May 15, compared to 23 during this time period last year.

"While the decrease in overall traffic deaths is good news,” adds Saunders, “we cannot become complacent this Memorial Day weekend with the recent rise in motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities.”

The VAHSO reports that more than 70 percent of the motorcycle fatalities recorded so far this year are attributable to the rider's action. Motorcycle riders should ensure they have the proper training and wear the appropriate safety gear to reduce their risk. Additionally, all motorists are urged to watch out for pedestrians, especially as warmer weather approaches and more people are walking to their destinations. 

If you plan to walk in an area where there is vehicular traffic, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:

• Wear light colors so motorists can see you
• When walking at night, reflective clothing or flashlights make you more visible to motorists
• Make sure you walk against the traffic and use crosswalks whenever available
• When crossing a street, look left, look right and look left again
• Dusk and dawn are the most dangerous times of the day for pedestrians

For more information about our safety products and services, or to schedule a safety speaker for your event or class, please contact our safety department.