While overall fatalities are on the decline, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is bringing public awareness to two statistics that are on the rise in an effort to help save lives.
One quarter of Virginia pedestrians killed in traffic crashes this year were in their 30s, up from 10% this time last year. Of those fatal crashes nearly half involved a pedestrian who had been drinking alcohol. Overall, crash fatalities involving a pedestrian who had been drinking are up 52% from this time last year. Over the past four years, the majority of fatal pedestrian crashes occurred in urban areas, after dark, and when the pedestrian was crossing improperly or walking in the road. As part of October’s Pedestrian Safety Month the DMV urges drivers and pedestrians alike to stay alert, especially at night.
