CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia traffic fatalities decreased roughly 15% in 2025, according to a preliminary report by the Virginia Department of Vehicles.

The same, however, does not hold true for Albemarle County, where there were eight fatalities last year compared to seven in 2024.

“What we’re still seeing is distracted driving, i.e. looking at your phone or not paying attention to the roadway,” Albemarle Police Chief Sean Reeves said during an appearance on WINA Morning News. “Especially in our rural parts of the county that have whiny, twisty roads, or people that are driving impaired, whether under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and then speeding, going too fast for roadways.”

According to Reeves, several of last year’s fatalities were preventable.

“The simplest thing is wearing your seatbelt,” he said. “We still, unfortunately, have fatalities where people aren’t wearing their seatbelt that their lives could have potentially been saved had they just buckled up. So distracted driving, not driving impaired, and wearing your seatbelt, those three things right there can dramatically reduce the probability of being involved in a fatal accident, whether it’s a driver or a passenger.”

Reeves notes that it takes only two seconds to buckle up.

City, county and state accident reports are expected to be released in the weeks ahead.