12 killed on state highways over July 4 weekend

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Twelve people were killed on Virginia’s highways over the July 4 weekend.

The preliminary total from State Police is six less than last year’s total, which was for the travel period stretching from Tuesday, July 3 through Friday, July 6 of 2007.

The year-to-date figures have also decreased. State Police say there have been 411 reported traffic fatalities so far in 2008 compared to 504 this time last year.

State Police Superintendent Colonel W. Steven Flaherty says that while it’s hard to pinpoint the reason for the drop, he’s hopeful people are finally making safe driving a priority.

Of the 12 killed over this year’s four-day Independence Day weekend, all but two were male and ranged in age from 17 to 85. Alcohol was a factor in at least one crash. And except for one New Jersey resident, all the victims were from Virginia.