WYTHEVILLE (WSLS 10) - Traffic crash fatalities on Wythe County roads increased increased 71 percent from 2014 to 2015, prompting a traffic safety campaign by local law enforcement.
Virginia State Police are now partnering with the Smyth County Sheriff's Office and Wythe County Sheriff's Office to conduct a Drive to Save Lives traffic enforcement initiative on and off the interstates in both jurisdictions. During the day-long operation, troopers and deputies cited 56 speeders and another 12 reckless drivers. There was one seat belt violation and six equipment violations cited between the two counties.
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VSP said the Drive to Save Lives campaign is supported by state and local law enforcement across the U.S., with the dual purpose of enhancing the safety o nation's highways for all motorists and the law enforcement on patrol. The hashtag #drivetosavelives is being used by law enforcement to help spread the word about safe driving.
Data released by Virginia State Police showed fatalities related to accidents went from 4 in 2014 to 14 in 2015, and the year isn't over. However, overall crashes in Wythe and Smyth counties were down, year-to-year.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Office reports the following data:
To further the Drive to Save Lives enforcement and messaging, motorists traveling along Interstate 77 in both Virginia and North Carolina Thursday, October 29 can expect to see an increased presence of state troopers. Virginia State Police in Carroll County will be mirroring the patrol efforts of their North Carolina State Highway Patrol counterparts to detect and deter unsafe motorists. In Carroll County in 2014, four people died and 213 individuals were injured in 526 traffic crashes, according to the Virginia DMV.
With additional troopers on the highway, all motorists are reminded of each state's "Move Over" law. In Virginia, drivers are required to change to another travel lane or, when unable to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. Virginia law also includes highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.