Chris Gentilviso The Richmond Times-Dispatch In the spring of 2020, the arrival of COVID-19 caused unprecedented traffic shifts on roads across Virginia and the nation. Amid stay-at-home orders aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus, fewer cars resulted in fewer accidents overall. In June, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) noted that there was a 45% decline in crashes in the initial months of the pandemic. Despite that trend, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine saw âgreat concern.â Travel at high speeds and the absence of seat belts contributed to a 78% jump in fatalities involving both factors. âWe are urging all motorists to drive the posted speed limit and wear seat belts,â Valentine said in a statement.