Police report safe roads and waterways over holiday weekend

By Lindsey Ward

Published: July 7, 2008

Many of us took advantage of the long holiday weekend to hit the road for a get away and it turned out to be one of the safest weekends on record.
   
However, state police say 12 people were killed in accidents across the state.  That raises the traffic death toll for this year to 411
   
The good news is that’s down compared to 500 deaths at this time last year.

Police say people were safe on the road and on the waters.

After a busy holiday weekend Smith Mountain Lake has smoothed out and fewer boats cruise its waters.  But with countless vacationers over the holiday weekend, conservation police are happy to report zero accidents, its news they’ve been waiting years for.

“It was probably one of the safest Fourth of July celebrations on Smith Mountain Lake since the lake was built in the early sixties,” said Karl Martin, Virginia Game Warden District Supervisor.

 
In fact, in three days only three DUI citations were written.  Martin says this safe record is do in part to a new law that requires all boat operators to take a safety course within the next eight years.  He added this new legislation simply puts boating safety in the fore front and from what he can tell people want to comply. He says he’s seen a huge increase in interest and this safe holiday weekend is a testament.

“We have received a large, large number of calls concerning boating safety,” Martin said.
“There are people that are calling everyday wanting to know where they can take a class.”

Bob Daniels, who lives on the lake, agrees boating safety is important and it’s helping to reduce accidents, but he says there is one element left out of the equation.  This weekend’s spotty weather and higher gas prices equaled fewer boats on the lake.

“I think the fewer people on the lake the safer they are, the fewer accidents you’re going to have,” said Daniels.

Whether it’s fewer boats or better education, zero accidents in three days adds up to good news.

Although it was accident free over the weekend, that all changed this morning.

A boater was charged after he ran his boat into a dock.  He was not harmed, but is facing DUI charges.
It happened around 1:00 a.m. at the Boxwood Green Cove near Blackwater River.

It caused significant damage to the structure and the boat.

Martin says if you’re interested in taking a boating class sign-up now, because classes are filling up.  Call (540) 525-7522 for more information.