RICHMOND – The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has recognized several jurisdictions across
Virginia that achieved zero traffic deaths in 2019 and/or 2020. The City of Radford made the list for
2020.
Virginia is an active participant in the national “Toward Zero Deaths” initiative, which brings together
engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency medical services professionals to work toward a
goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities. The adoption and implementation of the Toward Zero Deaths
vision by many highway safety offices across America demonstrates a unified commitment to the effort to
transform traffic safety culture.
“The unified approach in Virginia also includes Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Leadership Team
on Highway Safety, a significant increase in highway safety funding, and a transition to more effective
systemic improvements,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine. “With our
commitment and the dedication of communities across the commonwealth, I believe this milestone is and
will continue to be achievable.”
In an effort to change public perception that traffic fatalities are unavoidable, DMV annually recognizes
jurisdictions that achieved zero traffic fatalities. This year, jurisdictions achieving this status in 2019 are
also included since the pandemic preempted last year’s recognition.
“These jurisdictions have shown us that zero is not impossible, and I am proud to recognize them for their
dedication to traffic safety,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb, the governor’s Highway
Safety Representative.
The jurisdictions that achieved zero deaths in 2019 only are Alleghany County and the cities of
Covington, Harrisonburg and Staunton. The jurisdictions that achieved zero traffic deaths in 2020 only
are Highland County and the cities of Colonial Heights, Emporia, Galax, Radford, Salem, and
Waynesboro.
The following jurisdictions achieved zero traffic deaths in both 2019 and 2020: Craig County and the
cities of Buena Vista, Falls Church, Franklin, Hopewell, Lexington, Manassas Park, Norton, and
Winchester.
The jurisdictions that have achieved zero traffic deaths for at least five consecutive years are the cities of
Buena Vista, Falls Church, Hopewell, Lexington, Manassas Park, and Norton. Finally, the City of Buena
Vista has achieved zero traffic deaths for 10 consecutive years.
To learn more about Virginia’s goal to achieve zero traffic deaths, visit https://tzdva.org/.
