Crime & Safety

Virginia State Police Increase Patrols for Independence Day

Holiday will see more officers just days after new texting while driving law went into effect.

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Jason Spencer, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

Written by Rachel Hatzipanagos

Virginia State Police will increase patrols for the Independence Day holiday. 

Operation C.A.R.E., a nationwide program, focuses strict traffic enforcement. Ten percent of crashes on July Fourth last year were alcohol related, state police report.

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Ten people died on the road during the holiday weekend in 2012. In 2011,14 people were killed.

“We have zero tolerance for such behavior on the road,” W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police superintendent, stated in a news release. 

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Other results from the 2012 enforcement efforts:

  • 9,209 speeders cited
  • 2,609 reckless drivers cited
  • 906 charged for not wearing a seat belt
  • 104 driving while under the influence arrests
This year, the Fourth of July — and increased police presence that comes with it — happens just days after a new Virginia law went into effect that allows officers to stop someone on the suspicion that they were texting while driving.

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