VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — During 10 On Your Side’s coverage of the winter storm, we have stressed the importance of road safety. This video from Virginia Beach is a prime example of why drivers need to be cautious.
WAVY Weather Detailed Forecast
WAVY Photographer Corby Slaughter was on Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach Wednesday afternoon where he was able to capture this video of a driver sliding on the road.
Youngkin: ‘Virginia is still in a state of emergency’ ahead of snow storm
Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged residents to remain indoors and stay off the roads as he declared a State of Emergency during a news conference Tuesday morning. “If you are not where you want to be by midnight tonight, don’t go,” Youngkin said.
What you need to know about road conditions before Hampton Roads snowstorm
If you’ll be on the road, be sure to bring food as well as a flash light, ice scraper, shovel and salt.
Virginia State Police provided suggestions for those who absolutely need to hit the roads.
- Use headlights . Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
- Slow your speed . Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers still must drive for conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control of your vehicle.
- Don’t tailgate . You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear end collisions.
- Buckle Up . Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
- Check Your Vehicle . Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
- Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been prepping roads all week to ensure safety for potential drivers. VDOT has an online tool that allows users to track snow plows live as they are out on the roads. To see if a plow has reached your area, click here.
If travel is essential, check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app, which offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 511 while in Virginia.
For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). For more about winter weather travel, visit VDOT’s weather page …