Motorists can expect to see more traffic enforcement on the streets of Charlottesville in the coming months, Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin said.
According to Catlin, the number of annual traffic fatalities in Albemarle County has reached an all-time high.
"This year's number of traffic fatalities to date is 20, and the total fatalities last year were 10 -- this is very distressing," Catlin said. "We are very concerned by the fact that we are seeing a record number of fatalities even before the Thanksgiving traffic rush."
Every year in the United States, 2,500 people die in drunk driving accidents between Thanksgiving and Christmas, said Jill Ingram, president of the Central Virginia chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
There are many different causes for the increase in fatal car accidents in the Charlottesville area, Catlin said.
"A great majority of the crashes have involved excessive speed, no seat belts and alcohol impaired driving," she said.
County police officials will hold a press conference on Monday to announce new traffic enforcement measures that will be implemented immediately.
"Students can expect a very increased and visible level of traffic enforcement on our roads," Catlin said. "We are trying to save lives as a result of this scary situation."
Most traffic fatalities are occurring in rural areas of Albemarle County. "Measures will be focusing in rural areas less than intense traffic locations, and we will look at the patterns of these accidents," Catlin said.
Steve Waters, President of Walk DC, an organization that promotes the safety and accessibility of transportation in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, said people tend to drive faster in rural areas, leading to more accidents.
Waters added that engineering and education are even more important than law enforcement in reducing traffic fatalities.
"I think you have to focus on engineering and education because law enforcement cannot be on every street 24 hours a day."
Waters advocates redesigning speed signs and streets to reduce traffic fatalities.
University Crime Prevention Officer Becky Campbell has not noticed an increase in traffic violations at the University.
But Campbell said drunk driving still endangers the safety of University students.
"Every time there is a drunk driver on the road, there is a problem, and we are always looking for intoxicated drivers."
Campbell said the University police department will not be working directly with Albemarle County police in implementing the new traffic enforcement measures.
According to Campbell, the University police department will be running their own safe-driving campaigns in the near future.
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