Traffic fatalities declined significantly over the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday weekend compared to this time last year.

Preliminary numbers from the Virginia State Police indicate nine people died in nine traffic crashes during the five-day statistical counting period which is Virginia’s lowest Thanksgiving fatality count since 2002, when nine individuals were also killed in traffic crashes. In 2007, 19 people were killed in 18 crashes on Virginia roads and in 2006 traffic collisions claimed 16 lives.

Among those who died during the extended holiday were two teenagers, two bicyclists and one pedestrian. Alcohol was a factor in two of the crashes. Additionally, seat belt restraints were not used in two crashes.

The fatal collisions took place in the counties of Carroll, Fairfax, Louisa, Powhatan, Prince William, Rockbridge, Rockingham and Southampton.

“Overall, the recent decline in fatal traffic crashes is encouraging. However, it should not be a reason to become complacent for drivers and passengers,” says VSP Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty. “Safety on the roads should still be a priority for all motorists as evident by the fact our troopers worked more than 1,000 crashes statewide during the Thanksgiving holiday.”

On Sunday during the increased holiday enforcement, Virginia State Police Sr. Trooper R.D. Horton was dispatched to a single vehicle accident on Route 620 in Carroll County, near the North Carolina line. During the crash investigation, 27-year-old John Michael Mason was charged with DUI, resisting arrest and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

It was also discovered Mason was wanted for first-degree murder by the Staunton Police Department. The Virginia State Police is assisting Staunton police with the murder investigation.

As part of the Virginia State Police holiday enforcement safety strategy, troopers participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort, or Operation C.A.R.E. The state-sponsored, national program is designed to decrease crashes, fatalities and injuries caused by speeding, impaired driving and the failure to use occupant restraints. The traffic safety program is conducted during the year’s national holidays.

The 2008 Operation C.A.R.E. program yielded the following summonses and/or arrests by Virginia State Police statewide: 9,921 for speeding; 2,810 for reckless driving; 188 for driving under the influence; 916 for not wearing safety belts, 220 for not using child restraints; and 6,054 for other hazardous violations.

In the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area, there were three DUIs, 24 crashes and one fatality. Police wrote 347 tickets.

In the Staunton and Augusta County area, there were a total of 322 tickets written: 195 tickets for speeding, 20 for reckless driving and three DUIs. There were no fatalities reported for the area.

First Sgt. Brian Hutcheson says many of the wrecks were due to bad weather.

"You had the increased traffic out there and then you had the steady rain, but the flip side of that is we were fortunate that it wasn't colder than what it was and then the weather could have really caused us some problems," says Hutcheson.

The 2008 Thanksgiving statistical counting period began November 26 and ended at midnight November 30. Seventy-five percent of the Virginia State Police work force worked this Thanksgiving weekend as part of Operation C.A.R.E.