A sharp increase in fatal motorcycle crashes appears certain to put Virginia’s highway death toll at more than 1,000 for the first time since 1990. State police say the toll stood at 997 yesterday, with the always-dangerous New Year’s holiday still ahead. Over the last five years, an average of 11 people have died on the state’s highways during holiday weekend. Last year, 961 people died in Virginia traffic accidents. Since the Department of Motor Vehicles began keeping computerized records in 1971, the high mark for fatalities was 1,100 in 1972. Through October of this year, 116 motorcyclists had died on the state’s highways, up from 62 at the same time last year. Distracted driving also remains a problem, along with failing to wear seat belts.