HARRISONBURG - State police attribute a decline in traffic deaths in Virginia to an economy that is slowing travel as well as efforts by authorities that are slowing motorists.
Still, they urge drivers to be careful when hitting the highways this Fourth of July weekend.
According to a report by the Virginia State Police released this week, traffic fatalities throughout the state for 2009 are down by 16 percent when compared to the same time year. As of Monday, a reported 345 people had died in vehicle-related accidents on Virginia's roads, compared to 412 in 2008.
Sgt. Les Tyler, public information officer for the state police in Culpeper, said Thursday that less travel due to higher fuel costs is one factor behind the decline in highway deaths.
"Due to increases in gas prices, there are a reduced number of vehicles on the roadway," Tyler said. "And we've increased our enforcement efforts."
As to how much credit goes to motorists for the lower death totals, Tyler remarked that state police have "done a number" of public-education campaigns to encourage safe driving.
"We would hope that [such campaigns] would also be a contributing factor," he said.
Key Programs
Two programs by state police, Checkpoint Strikeforce and Operation C.A.R.E., will be in force this weekend to promote highway safety.
Checkpoint Strikeforce, a statewide initiative that begins Saturday and runs through Jan. 4, focuses on alcohol-impaired driving by means of sobriety checkpoints and "saturation" patrols.
Operation C.A.R.E., a state-sponsored national program, involves added surveillance by state police on four major holiday weekends: Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, local police say that while the reduction in highway fatalities is good news, officers will still prepare for the task of keeping crowded roadways safe.
Both Harrisonburg police and Rockingham County sheriff's deputies say they will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers.
"We'll have a heightened alert for drunk drivers," said Mary Hope-Gangwer, public information officer and crime analyst for the Harrisonburg Police Department.
Lt. C.L. Krech, a patrol officer for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, said his department is bracing for drunken drivers and heavier traffic.
"We anticipate more drivers this weekend because we don't think many people will be traveling outside the county," Krech said.
Still, they urge drivers to be careful when hitting the highways this Fourth of July weekend.
According to a report by the Virginia State Police released this week, traffic fatalities throughout the state for 2009 are down by 16 percent when compared to the same time year. As of Monday, a reported 345 people had died in vehicle-related accidents on Virginia's roads, compared to 412 in 2008.
Sgt. Les Tyler, public information officer for the state police in Culpeper, said Thursday that less travel due to higher fuel costs is one factor behind the decline in highway deaths.
"Due to increases in gas prices, there are a reduced number of vehicles on the roadway," Tyler said. "And we've increased our enforcement efforts."
As to how much credit goes to motorists for the lower death totals, Tyler remarked that state police have "done a number" of public-education campaigns to encourage safe driving.
"We would hope that [such campaigns] would also be a contributing factor," he said.
Key Programs
Two programs by state police, Checkpoint Strikeforce and Operation C.A.R.E., will be in force this weekend to promote highway safety.
Checkpoint Strikeforce, a statewide initiative that begins Saturday and runs through Jan. 4, focuses on alcohol-impaired driving by means of sobriety checkpoints and "saturation" patrols.
Operation C.A.R.E., a state-sponsored national program, involves added surveillance by state police on four major holiday weekends: Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Thanksgiving.
Meanwhile, local police say that while the reduction in highway fatalities is good news, officers will still prepare for the task of keeping crowded roadways safe.
Both Harrisonburg police and Rockingham County sheriff's deputies say they will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers.
"We'll have a heightened alert for drunk drivers," said Mary Hope-Gangwer, public information officer and crime analyst for the Harrisonburg Police Department.
Lt. C.L. Krech, a patrol officer for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office, said his department is bracing for drunken drivers and heavier traffic.
"We anticipate more drivers this weekend because we don't think many people will be traveling outside the county," Krech said.
