From: [n--l--n] at [io.org] (Nigel Allen)
Newsgroups: alt.law-enforcement,va.general,talk.politics.drugs
Subject: Virginia's Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes Drop 22 Percent in 1994
Date: 6 Jan 1995 02:19:13 -0500

Here is a press release from the Virginia Department of
Motor Vehicles.
I downloaded the press release from the PR On-Line BBS in Maryland
at 410-363-0834. I do not work for the Virginia state government.


 Virginia's Alcohol-Related Fatal Crashes Drop 22 Percent in 1994
 To: State and City Desks
 Contact: Jeanne Chenault of the Virginia Department of
          Motor Vehicles, 804-367-1519

   RICHMOND, Va. Jan. 4   -- Preliminary 1994 highway
fatality figures indicate that alcohol-related fatal crashes
dropped 22 percent in 1994 to 274, as compared to 1993, when there
were 352 alcohol-related fatal crashes.
   "Contributing factors to this decrease include passage of the
Alcohol Omnibus Act of 1994, one of the toughest drunk driving laws
in the country.  In addition, Virginia has initiated comprehensive
drunk driving programs which involve law enforcement, public
information and education, intervention and prevention to reduce
alcohol fatalities and injuries," said Department of Motor Vehicles
Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb.  Virginia's efforts to combat
drunk driving were recently recognized by the National Commission
Against Drunk Driving with the Tenth Annual State Award.
   During 1994, Virginia had the third lowest rate of fatalities in
history when total vehicle miles travelled are taken into
consideration.  However, the actual number of highway deaths
incresed 5.1 percent from 875 deaths in 1993 to 920 reported deaths
in 1994.  The last time more than 900 highway deaths occurred in
Virginia was in 1991, when 938 persons lost their lives on Virginia
roadways.
   There was a 45 percent increase in the number of fatalities for
individuals in the 16- to 20-year-old age group.  In 1994, 146
young adults were killed in highway crashes, compared to 101 in
1993.  Safety belts were not used by young adults in 65 percent of
these crashes and at least 20 percent were directly related to
alcohol use.
   In 1994, the number of children under the age of four killed in
highway crashes doubled from the previous year.  Of the 18 children
killed, nine were not secured in child safety seats.
   "In examining these preliminary figures, the use of safety belts
and proper use of child safety seats greatly increase the chance of
drivers and passengers surviving a crash.  Although the number of
alcohol-related crashes dropped, the estimated total of all
alcohol-related fatalities remained the single largest category of
motor vehicle reported fatalities.  Enforcing the drinking and
driving message will continue to be a priority in Virginia," said
Holcomb.

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-- 
Nigel Allen          [n--l--n] at [io.org]