RICHMOND – This year is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and that anniversary on July 4th also falls on a Saturday. As a result, traffic is expected to be heavy as people travel to celebrations, fireworks, or just to vacations. AAA Mid-Atlantic is forecasting over two million Virginians will be travelling more than 50 miles from home this year, with the largest percentage using our interstates and primary highways. As of June 30, 2026, preliminary statistics show there have been 307 fatalities on Virginia roadways.
“This Fourth of July is uniquely situated for great celebrations, and Virginia State Police will do all it can to ensure that everyone remains safe over the holiday,” said Lieutenant Colonel Todd Taylor, Director of the Virginia State Police Bureau of Field Operations. “We will be strategically placed throughout Commonwealth to serve as a friendly reminder to folks to drive safely, slow down, stay sober, wear your seatbelt, and avoid distractions.”
If you do plan to drink at a July 4th party, please plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver or make sure you have a rideshare service or taxi handy. You can also utilize public transportation. Party hosts are encouraged to serve non-alcoholic drink options, and to make sure guests do not drink and drive home from their event.
As part of its efforts to increase safety and reduce traffic fatalities on Virginia’s highways during the Fourth of July holiday, Virginia State Police will be joining law enforcement around the country for the Operation Crash Awareness Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E), a state-sponsored, national program intended to reduce crashes, fatalities, and injuries due to impaired driving, speeding, and failing to wear a seat belt. The Fourth of July statistical counting period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026. State Police will increase patrols with a specific focus on July 2 and July 5, which are expected to be the busiest travel days.
During the 2025 Operation CARE initiative for the Fourth of July holiday, troopers cited nearly 3,000 drivers (2,959) for speeding and 1,411 drivers for reckless driving. Troopers arrested 73 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs. They also issued 505 citations for failure to wear a seatbelt. Last year, on July 1, 2025, Virginia law changed to require all passengers, no matter where they are seated in a vehicle, to wear a seatbelt. There were also 135 citations for child restraint violations.
State Police investigated 879 total traffic crashes statewide and assisted 701 motorists during the 2025 Fourth of July counting period. There were 11 fatalities.*
