Virginia has seen a spike in fatal speed-related crashes through 2020, the Virginia State Police said.

Relying on data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office, VSP said that year-to-date there have been more speed-related traffic deaths than in all of 2019.

“Not only have speed-related traffic deaths increased this year, so have alcohol-related traffic deaths. Virginia is on pace to have more total fatal traffic crashes in 2020 than in 2019,” said Col. Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of Virginia State Police. “And all of this while overall traffic crashes in Virginia this year are down significantly. This means each crash has been deadlier—deadlier because of speed, alcohol, distractions and individuals not wearing seatbelts.”

Virginia State Police urges every motorist on the road this holiday season “to be responsible, obey the traffic laws, ditch distractions and wear a seatbelt. Whether heading to the grocery store, the post office or delivering...