GETTING THERE: Bleak trend on Virginia roads | Local News

Lethal crashes in the condition hit a 14-12 months higher in 2021, the Virginia Section of Motor Vehicles reported in a information release final week.

The DMV’s data demonstrate 968 individuals died in crashes on Virginia streets past calendar year, up 14.3% when compared to 2020, which also was no picnic as lethal crashes piled up irrespective of lighter traffic through the pandemic shutdown.

Last year’s Virginia roadway death tally was the optimum since 1,026 men and women died in crashes in 2007, DMV said.

On the good facet, DMV’s knowledge present fatalities dropped in crashes involving alcohol, distracted motorists and unbelted motorists or passengers.

But statewide fatalities greater in different groups:

Speed-linked: 445 in 2021 vs. 406 in 2020

Commercial vehicle-involved crashes: 115 vs. 102

Motorcyclists: 102 vs. 87

Older drivers: 145 vs. 126

The DMV pointed out that Virginia’s lethal roadway crash details “mirrors a startling countrywide pattern.”

DMV cited the Nationwide Freeway Traffic Security Administration’s preliminary facts covering the very first 9 months of 2021, when much more than 31,000 individuals died in crashes, up 12% from the same period of time in 2020 and the most fatalities considering the fact that 2006.

Regrettably, fatal crashes are just as bad locally, as crashes, injuries and fatalities spiked in 2021 in Fredericksburg, as effectively as Spotsylvania and Stafford counties.

In 2020, there were 22 fatal crashes in the town and the two counties, according to DMV data. Previous yr, there ended up 29 fatalities. So significantly this calendar year, there have been 11 lethal crashes in the area.

Issues really do not glance fantastic so far this 12 months statewide, as the DMV described that 245 men and women have died in crashes on condition roads, a 12% improve as opposed to the similar time period in 2021.

“This trend is poised to continue on except if Virginians consider action,” Acting DMV Commissioner Linda Ford reported in the release. “Most people want to add to one thing increased by driving properly, you can actually make a distinction, not just in your existence, but in the life of anyone with whom you share the road.”

Anybody intrigued in a firsthand glimpse of nearby tasks in the condition transportation 6-12 months Advancement Method will get a opportunity to do that Monday.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board is on a 9-meeting tour throughout the point out to get portion in public conferences, wherever inhabitants get a probability to see and hear about jobs in the fiscal yr 2023–28 system.

Transportation officials also want to listen to from the public, and that can be accomplished at the conference.

The regional general public conference begins at 4 p.m. Monday at James Monroe Superior College in Fredericksburg.