RICHMOND (WSLS) - Despite the bad weather at the start of the 2014 Thanksgiving weekend, numbers show a record decline in traffic deaths in Virginia.
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From 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, through midnight Sunday, only five fatal crashes were reported statewide. Last year at that time, traffic crashes were a result of twelve deaths. 1992 was the last time Virginia had only five traffic deaths during the holiday weekend.
The five deaths happened in the cities of Radford and Virginia Beach, and the counties of Bedford, Roanoke, and Middlesex.
Alcohol was a factor in at least two of the deaths and three of the drivers killed were not wearing seat belts.
During the Thanksgiving police efforts, Virginia State Police stopped 9,789 speeders and another 2,312 reckless drivers statewide. Troopers arrested and charged 90 drivers for Driving Under the Influence.
During the Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Police participated in Operation Combined Accident Reduction. It's state-sponsored, national program that encourages law enforcement to increase traffic enforcement efforts on major holidays.