Traffic enforcement project to take place in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — A high visibility enforcement period will be held by members of law enforcement across West Virginia in September 2024.

According to a press release from the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) reminded drivers to follow speed limits and slow down with a high visibility enforcement (HVE) period that will be held throughout the state.

The high visibility enforcement (HVE) period will start with an enforcement event on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the HVE period will run through Sunday, September 22, 2024 and will be held by members of law enforcement throughout West Virginia.

Speed limit signs are not suggestions, they are the law. They are posted for the safety of the driver and others in that particular area. Unfortunately, law enforcement sees people speeding every day, especially young men. If you’re killed in a crash, or if you kill someone else, that’s it – there’s no second chance. Speeding just isn’t worth the risk.

Jack McNeely | Director of the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program

The press release stated that 12,151 deaths due to accidents related to speeding, making up 29 percent of traffic deaths, occurred in 2022, which was a 2.8 percent decrease in deaths from the total in 2021 of 12,498.

Motorcyclists and young drivers make up the largest group that are involved in accidents related to speeding, according to the press release from the West Virginia State Police.

We are asking drivers to please slow down, our goal is to save lives, and we’re putting all drivers on alert — the posted speed limit is the law. No excuses.

Jack McNeely | Director of the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program

According to the West Virginia State Police, in 2022, 27 percent of accident related deaths involved speed, and motorcyclists were involved in 16 percent of traffic fatalities in West Virginia. They also stated that speeding can make it difficult for drivers to pass other cars, or to drive around curves or objects.

Information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program can be found on their website or by calling call 304-926-2509, and further information about the risks of speeding can be found here .

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