The month of October is among the peak months for traffic fatalities in Virginia and the nation.

In 2005, more people were injured and more people were killed in the month of October than in any other month that year. In 2006, October led the year for having the most total traffic crashes and the most traffic crash injuries.

To prevent this October from continuing such a tragic pattern, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia State Police are calling attention to the seventh annual Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day on October 10, 2007.

This nationwide traffic safety effort is designed to encourage the public to take a greater stand in keeping themselves and their loved ones from becoming one of the statistics for the month. The goal of this national traffic safety day is to unite the country in achieving one full day of zero traffic deaths by encouraging safer behavior and actions and by promoting safer roadways.

"Motor vehicle fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans ages three to 33 years old," says Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "Whether as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or cyclist, by working together in a concerted effort, we can make a difference to stop you or your loved one from becoming Virginia's next traffic fatality."

As of Tuesday, more than 770 persons have lost their lives in a traffic crash in Virginia this year. Officials say traffic safety is everyone's responsibility. Virginia's highway safety partnership challenges you to help put the brakes on highway fatalities by buckling up, avoiding distractions, sharing the road, obeying speed limits, and driving drug- and alcohol-free.

In another step to prevent traffic crashes, Operation Air, Land and Speed comes back on interstates 81 and 95 on October 12 and 13. Motorists can again expect to see extra patrols of troopers, supervisors and aviation personnel.

An important component of this traffic safety operation will be its concentration by Virginia State Police Motor Carrier Troopers on dangerous tractor trailers and commercial vehicles along the same interstate routes.

During the seven Operation Air, Land & Speed initiatives conducted in 2006 and 2007, only one traffic fatality occurred on a targeted interstate, which resulted from a fleeing, stolen vehicle. In addition, total traffic crashes have been at a minimum during every operation.

So far, the traffic enforcement campaigns have focused on interstates 81, 95, 64, 77, 85, and 295. The previous seven operations have yielded a total of 38,824 summonses and arrests. State police operational duties on other interstates, primary and secondary roads are not affected during the operation.

Funding for the enforcement initiative is provided through federal highway safety monies.