Rockingham reports no fatalities over holiday weekend

The holiday travel weekend was mostly quiet in Rockingham County, the Highway Patrol said.
No one died on area roads over the Thanksgiving holiday, said Sgt. Mark Rutledge. Statewide, however, seven people died in weekend wrecks investigated by the Highway Patrol. Last year, 21 motorists were killed. The holiday travel period began last Wednesday and ended midnight Sunday. Troopers issued 18,477 speeding citations during Operation Slow Down, which began Nov. 17.
More law officers patrolled Rockingham County roads as well.
“We had every officer out who was available,” Rutledge said. “Our goal was to be seen.”
Rutledge hoped their presence alone would deter some people from breaking the law. To help limit wrecks, troopers paid special attention to areas known for higher crash rates.
There were 34 accidents over the holiday weekend, 14 of which involved animals. One person was confirmed to have been injured in an accident, while two others reportedly complained of injuries.
In 2007, 43 accidents were reported with 12 injuries.
“It was quiet for a holiday weekend, and that’s the way we want it,” Rutledge said.
The Highway Patrol issued a total of 243 tickets in the county. Of those, 120 were for speeding.
Eight people were arrested for driving while intoxicated. There were also four cases of reckless driving, six people found to be driving with a revoked license, 11 people caught driving without a license and 29 seatbelt violations.
“We can’t catch everybody, but hopefully our efforts were helpful,” Rutledge said. “It certainly appears that way.”
Eden police Capt. Reece Pyrtle said his department issued 12 speeding tickets. Officers also arrested two people for driving while intoxicated and five others for drug violations.
Pyrtle said the numbers were in line with those of a normal weekend.
A wreck on King’s Highway resulted in an injury, Pyrtle said. A woman was hurt after being struck by a mirror on a passing car as she exited her vehicle after an accident.
Dean Venable, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, said deputies received an assortment of calls.
“We were very busy, but it could have been much worse,” he said. “This year was about the same as last year. Nothing remarkable, nothing unique.”
Reidsville police Capt. Guilio Dattero estimated police took about 40 reports over the weekend. He said the offenses were all lower-level crimes.
“It was a fairly typical four-day holiday weekend,” Dattero said.