With yet another winter storm impacting our region, authorities are ensuring locals stay safe on the roads during these dangerous conditions.
Virginia State Police said the following about road safety:
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- Use headlights
- Slow your speed
- Don’t tailgate
- Buckle Up
- Check Your Vehicle by making sure it has a full tank, functioning windshield wipers, wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
- Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger, and a flashlight.
“With this storm forecast to come in over the weekend when most people are off of work and schools aren’t open, AAA hopes most people will stay at home and enjoy the winter wonderland. Empty roads also allow VDOT crews to plow the roads more easily.”
Morgan Dean, manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA
VSP also stated that they have increased the number of troopers and supervisors that are working during the storm.
AAA also emphasized the safety of digging out your vehicle after snow has accumulated around it. It’s unsafe to immediately start driving when your car is covered in snow, and there is ice/snow surrounding the tires.
- Clear away as much snow as possible from around the tires, under the vehicle, and around the exhaust pipe
- Turn on your car’s defrost system before starting to clear ice off your windows, this way the accumulation can easily be melted/pushed away
- Clear ice/snow off of windshields, windows, top, front, and back ends of cars. Ice flying off and hitting other vehicles is dangerous
- Use a shovel for around your car, and a scraper for your vehicle itself. You may damage your car if you use the wrong tools.
- Do not use hot water to clear ice off your car. Extreme temperature changes can shatter the glass.
“It’s important to clear the windshield and all of the windows of snow and ice so a driver has a 360-degree view of the road. Don’t neglect the roof of the vehicle. Clear all of that frozen precipitation away so that so that it can’t blow off and create a dangerous situation for drivers on the road behind you. ”
Morgan Dean, manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA
AAA also asked that you make sure you move over for emergency and disabled vehicles if you must travel during this weather.