DMV Halloween Safety Reminders
DMV Reminds Virginians: Safety is the Real Treat This Halloween
Both Motorists and Pedestrians Urged to Drive and Walk with CareRICHMOND, Va. — Whether you’re behind the wheel or on foot this Halloween weekend, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is reminding everyone that safety should be the top priority. With plenty of children and families expected to be trick-or-treating, it’s important for both motorists and pedestrians to stay alert and take precautions.
Halloween 2024, which fell on a Thursday, proved to be a busy and dangerous day on Virginia roads. Data shows there were 497 crashes, resulting in four fatalities and 29 serious injuries, on Halloween last year. That’s up from Halloween 2023, which fell on a Tuesday, when 393 crashes were reported, including two fatalities and 29 serious injuries. These numbers highlight why it’s important for everyone to pay attention and make smart choices on this occasion.
“With Halloween falling on a Friday this year, we know many people will be out having fun. Drivers should slow down in neighborhoods, watch for children darting between cars, and eliminate distractions. Families can help too—keep your little ghouls and goblins visible with reflective costumes or flashlights,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.
To keep everyone safe, DMV encourages the following precautions:
For motorists:Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.Stay below the posted speed limit and avoid passing other vehicles in residential areas.Watch for children dashing between vehicles.Never drink and drive. If you plan to celebrate with alcohol, arrange a safe ride.
For pedestrians:
Do not assume the right-of-way when crossing the street because drivers may not see you.Stick to the sidewalk whenever possible. If there is no sidewalk, walk beside the road, facing traffic, to increase visibility.Attach reflective tape to costumes or candy bags and give each child a flashlight so drivers can see them.
For more Halloween safety tips, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/halloween-safety-tips.
National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week
National Drowsy Driving Prevention Week is coming up November 2-8, 2025 — a crucial time to raise awareness about a silent but deadly danger on our roads. The DMV urges everyone to prioritize rest before hitting the road, because drowsy driving is a form of impaired driving that leads to devastating crashes, injuries, and loss of life.
In 2024 alone, 26 people lost their lives due to drowsy driving, with nearly three-fourths of these tragedies happening in rural areas. This is a serious issue that demands our collective attention.
We invite you to amplify this life-saving message in your community by sharing these valuable resources:
National Sleep Foundation provides campaign products [Drowsy Driving Prevention Tool Kit |National Sleep Foundation]
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) offers [Drowsy Driving Quiz | FMCSA (dot.gov)] to see if you have fallen victim to this risky behavior on the road.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides additional information [CDC | Drowsy Driving: Asleep at the Wheel]
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers additional resources on Drowsy Driving
Your commitment is vital to keeping our roads safe and saving lives. Together, we can make sure everyone arrives home safely.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication.
Colonial Heights High School Visit
Alvin and Fred spent the day visiting with students at Colonial Heights High School and spreading the message about Seat Belts Saving Lives!
Patriot HS in Prince William Visit
550 students watched Christopher's video at Patriot HS in Prince William! Thank you Drive Smart Virginia for producing the video and sharing it across the state!
Halifax High School Visit
October 15th visit to Halifax High School. Thank you for having us!
Deep Run High School Visit
Alvin and Fred spoke to students at Deep Run High School last Thursday along with Brad Hughes and DRIVE SMART Virginia. After their time at the school they stopped by Christopher’s grave as it’s just down the road.
It can be tough reliving the pain and grief when we share about Christopher’s life and death, but it brings us comfort knowing we are keeping his memory alive and saving lives in the process. We love you Christopher!
Please, always buckle up, drive safe speeds, avoid distractions, and make good choices behind the wheel.
Charles City National Night Out
Charles City #NationalNightOut on Tuesday! Thanks for having us!
Warhill High School Visit
It was great to be with students at Warhill High School on Monday!
Body & Soul Speaking Engagement
Last weekend Christy had the opportunity to speak at the Body & Soul Fitness Convention in Maryland! She loves when she gets to combine her love for fitness with her passion to save lives and honor Christopher through the Foundation.
DriveForChange Partnership
We are honored to partner with Yovaso on their #DriveforChange Project! If you haven't checked it out, you need to! Here's the link: https://www.yovaso.org/driveforchange/
By participating in the project your school or youth group gets a box of FREE materials to promote young driver and/or passenger safety! YOVASO also provides a lot of other tips and resources throughout the project to make it easy, engaging, and fun!
New Kent High School Visit
It was great to be with so many students at New Kent High School last Friday! We talked with more than 500 students about seat belt safety, Christopher's story, the new #ChristopherKingSeatBeltLaw, and so many other safe driving tips! New Kent County Public Schools
Jamestown High School Visit
It’s always tough going back to Jamestown High School, Christopher’s school, but it’s also an honor to be there sharing his story and keeping his memory alive. Christopher would want us to share the buckle up message. He would want us to tell these students to buckle up, slow down, never use drugs or alcohol, and to always look out for each other. Thank you for having us yesterday and today, Jamestown High School.
Families For Safe Streets Leadership Event
It was great to join Families for Safe Streets National leaders at #RVABuilds in #MainStreetStation yesterday to learn more about the local work in Richmond, the national #SafetyScienceStrategy, and to connect with other Safe Streets Advocates!
Dan River High School Visit
We had the best time talking with drivers education students at Dan River High School last Friday! Thanks Coach Moore, Coach Jacob, and Rachel Jackson for setting this up!
Dan River High School
Last Thursday we had the opportunity to speak at the required 90-minute Parent Teen Meeting at Dan River High School! More pics to come of our time there on Friday!
Lafayette High School Visit
We had a great time with students at Lafayette High School yesterday!
B.R.A.K.E.S. Program
We were happy to participate in the B.R.A.K.E.S. Program this past weekend with our friends from Yovaso! This incredible program teaches new teen drivers defensive driving skills and how to be safer, more responsible drivers. The teens loved it! View coverage HERE
Williamsburg-James County Elementary School Visits
It’s never too early to learn about driver and passenger safety!
Last Thursday we visited some of our local elementary schools and got to share with students about the importance of buckling up! We also got to share about our Speed Busters program in partnership with DRIVE SMART Virginia!
Thanks for having us, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools!
Williamsburg - James City County Public Schools - Middle School Visits
We had the opportunity to display at three middle schools last Wednesday! Thanks for having us, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools! Wishing everyone a safe and fun school year!
Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools Visit
Thanks for having us today, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools! It was incredible to have our team in three different places at once today! Remember to buckle up, slow down, never use alcohol/drugs, and to drive distraction-free this school year!
New Kent High School
“Run Your Race!”
That’s just what we’re doing by traveling from school to school sharing Christopher’s story. Today Alvin spoke to more than 300 students at New Kent High School.
Drive Smart Virginia Distracted Driving Summit
We are so proud of Christy for receiving the 2025 Janet Brooking Award for Highway Safety from Drive Smart Virginia at their Distracted Driving Summit! In Christy’s words, “DRIVE SMART Virginia has been such an inspiration to me and I've learned so much from them and especially Kristin Pettway!”
Virginia DMV Speed Ladder Press Conference
Check out the video below to hear from our Secretary of Transportation, W. Sheppard Miller III, recognizing Christy King during the press conference for the unveiling of the DMV's Highway Safety Office Speed Ladder. We are so thankful for the support of our local and state leaders in transportation safety. Virginia DMV Speed Ladder Press Conference
Wytheville Law Enforcement Symposium
It was an honor to speak last week in Wytheville at the 2025 Law Enforcement Symposium in partnership with VA Dept. of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office. Thank you all for allowing me to share about Christopher and the new #ChristopherKingSeatBeltLaw.
YOVASO Shining Star Awards for Traffic Safety
Fred and Alvin received YOVASO Shining Star Awards for Traffic Safety. Congrats to these two! We’re proud of you both.
YOVASU Summer Leadership Retreat
We had a great time at this year’s YOVASO Summer Leadership Retreat at James Madison University in Harrisonburg. A special thanks to the YOVASO team for having Christy, Alvin, and Fred share Christopher’s story with the students.
Christopher King Seat Belt Law Goes Into Effect
This new Virginal law requires ever person in a vehicle to be buckled up even if you are in the backseat. Thank you, Governor Youngkin and all who helped us get here. We are saving lives! #ChristopherKingSeatBeltLaw
2025 NHTSA Click It Or Ticket Event
The Christopher King Foundation was invited to DC for the National Click It or Ticket press conference at DOT headquarters. Christy gave a speech next to the most amazing leaders in traffic safety. Truly an honor. Watch the Event HERE.
DMV Traffic Safety Summit
Our founder and Christopher’s mother, Christy King, was given an award of honor at the DMV traffic safety summit - the Trailblazer Traffic Safety Award. Congrats, Christy!
5th Annual Cars For Chris Car Show
Make plans to join us on May 17th, 9am - 1pm for our 5th Annual Cars for Chris Car Show. This year, we will be in a new location with lots of shade and more space! Location: Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Hwy, Williamsburg, VA, 23185.
New Kent High School
Great day at New Kent High School speaking to 700 students! All grades except the freshman got to hear Fred, Alvin and I speak about Christopher and the importance of seat belts and other safe driving practices. Thank you Principal Strickland for inviting us and Sheriff Bailey for speaking with us! #seatbeltssavelives #newkenthighschool #seatbeltssavelives
Yorktown Breakfast Club
It was a pleasure to speak with members of the Breakfast Club in Yorktown last Thursday! Christy shared about the Foundation and our upcoming Cars for Chris Car Show that's happening next Saturday, May 17!
Become A Volunteer
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