West Virginia law enforcement stresses extra caution for Thanksgiving travel

Additionally, a survey conducted by Gunther Mazda suggested that West Virginians are more than willing to travel longer distances than other people around the country. The survey noted that most would be willing to travel up to 6.8 hours to spend time with family.

Law enforcement officers in the state are preparing for the big weekend and are placing an emphasis on safety.

Sgt. Kyle Totten, West Virginia State Police detachment commander in Bridgeport, said motorists should expect heavier traffic and an increased volume of vehicles around Thanksgiving, as usual.

“The biggest thing [for motorists] is to be more preventative than reactive,” Totten said.

Totten provided a big warning to those who might be traveling on Interstate 79 this holiday season, and he stressed extra awareness.

Through sections of I-79 at Fairmont, near mile marker 133, there have been a higher number of crashes, he said.

“It’s a dangerous stretch of interstate because there are a lot of entrances, exits, and traffic is narrowed. The pattern changes almost weekly to try to facilitate that (construction) project,” he said.

“Be courteous to one another, try to remain patient,” he said. “Stepping on the gas and driving an extra 5 or 10 miles an hour really doesn’t save you much time. Use common sense, try to remain patient, and stay off of your cellphone.”

Additionally, there seems to be an increase in the number of road rage and speeding incidents recently, Totten said.

“I’ve lost count of how many fatal crashes I’ve worked in my career, and the vast majority of those could have been alleviated with a reduced amount of speed and the utilization of a seatbelt,” he said.

“Our main goal is to get the public home safely, and our officers as well,” Totten said.

Throughout the state, officers will work overtime throughout the holidays on grant-funded traffic patrols like DUI enforcement, and seatbelt and speed patrols, officials said.

Lewis County Sheriff Dave Gosa had some similar advice, and he also expects a busy holiday season.

“It’s going to be a lot busier, because with COVID lifted, everyone will be traveling, either by automobile, train or a plane,” he said “It’s going to be the busiest time of the year. A lot more people are going to travel than years past.”

Both Gosa and Totten expressed concern about a subtle increase in intoxicated driving around the holidays, either from alcohol or from drugs.

Totten said in the last several years, there has been an uptick in drug-related DUIs.

“If you are going to drink, have a designated driver. Don’t get behind the wheel of a car,” Gosa said.

Officials said to remain vigilant and do your best to safely avoid reckless drivers.

Gosa also said drivers should remain watchful for deer running into roadways due to increased movement from hunting season.

Also, common sense goes a long way. Make sure to have plenty of fuel in your car, he said.

“Lewis County will be running extra patrols to keep an eye out on people traveling,” Gosa said.

“We just want everyone to be safe and get where they are going. Just stay aware of your surroundings,” Gosa said.