THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 6, 1996 TAG: 9601060255
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
About one-fifth of the 822 fatal automobile crashes that took 896 lives in Virginia in 1995 were alcohol-related, according to early state figures.
Drunken driving played a role in 169 of the crashes, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In another 192 crashes, it was unknown if alcohol was a factor, the DMV reported.
There were four fewer fatal crashes than in 1994, and there were nine fewer alcohol-related crashes.
Since 1985, the number of auto fatalities has fluctuated from as many as 1,118 in 1986 to a low of 839 in 1992.
A total of 22 people died in Virginia during the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Over the New Year's holiday, 14 people died in 13 crashes. The count was from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, through midnight Jan. 1.
The number of deaths for both Christmas and the New Year's holidays was down by six from 1994.
According to the state police, the victims over the New Year's weekend ranged in age from 14 to 69 and included eight drivers, five passengers and one pedestrian. Ten of the victims were not wearing safety belts. Alcohol was known to be a factor in four of the crashes.
Two of those fatal accidents were in South Hampton Roads.
At 3:06 a.m. Monday, 14-year-old Ernest Hunt was killed near the I-264 exit at St. Paul's Boulevard in Norfolk when a pickup truck driven by a Chesapeake man smashed into the rear of the car in which Hunt was riding. Police said Hunt was lying on the back seat.
Later that evening in Virginia Beach, R.L. Dunham Jr., 47, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while he was crossing Virginia Beach Boulevard near Aragona Boulevard. No arrests have been made.
``The year begins on a sad note for the families and friends of these persons,'' Col. M. Wayne Huggins, state police superintendent, said of the holiday accidents.
``In making New Year's resolutions, I hope drivers will resolve to drive safely and courteously during 1996.''
Yearly statistics for Hampton Roads and Peninsula cities were not available.
However, a preliminary breakdown for 1995 showed:
In eight age categories, the 21- to 29-year-olds were the most frequent victims with 180 deaths. There were 160 victims between 30 and 39.
Seat belts were not used by 464 - or more than half - of all 1995 traffic victims. Seat belts were used by 220 victims. Some were unknown.
Ninety-three pedestrians were killed.
There are about 4.8 million licensed drivers in Virginia.
Nearly one million are in Hampton Roads. ILLUSTRATION: Chart
FATAL CRASHES
Alcohol-related 169
Not alcohol-related 461
Unknown 192
FATALITIES AND SEAT BELTS (RESTRAINTS)
Restraints used 220
Restraints NOT used 464
Not applicable 140
Unknown 72
Source: Transportation Safety Administration, 1995 Virginia figures
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT TRAFFIC DRUNKEN DRIVING DEATHS FATALITIES
STATISTICS by CNB