PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WABY) — Virginia recorded the ninth largest increase in deaths from drunk driving accidents over the past five years, according to a recently published report.
Information compiled by journo research for AskDave.com Using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2018 to 2022, we found that the percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes who were under the influence of alcohol jumped by more than 44% during that period. Ta.
DMV Additionally, in 2022, there will be an average of one death and 11 injuries per day in Virginia. That same year, more than 14,000 people were convicted of drunk driving in Virginia.
“We’re moving in the direction we don’t want when it comes to deaths from drunk driving,” he said. AAA Tidewater Ryan Adcock, public relations and community support specialist;
AAA Tidewater also warns that the 100 deadliest days of the year are approaching.
“We’re running a ‘100 Most Dangerous Days’ campaign that starts on Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day, a time when historically the highest number of fatal crashes occur, especially for teenage drivers,” Adcock said. .
During the summer months, there are more teenage drivers on the roads, and Hampton Roads sees an increase in tourists who are new to the roads.
AAA encourages parents to educate their teens about safe driving and encourages those who use alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs to plan ahead to get home safely. I am.
“Because especially when you’re driving under the influence of something like that, not only are you putting your life at risk, but everyone that’s driving around you is at risk,” Adcock said.
Many local police departments plan to send additional officers on patrol over Memorial Day weekend.
In Virginia Beach, officers are engaged in drunk driving saturation patrols, in Chesapeake, police are working with neighboring jurisdictions to blitz Route 460 from here to Petersburg, and in Newport News, police are conducting patrols and checkpoints. said that it will be strengthened.
According to the DMV, Virginia has some of the strongest drunk driving laws in the nation. A first offense will result in a one-year license disqualification, and a second conviction will result in a three-year disqualification. If the period between her first conviction and her second conviction is less than five years, he will be incarcerated for at least 20 days.
