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SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA (WJHL) — The Virginia State Police (VSP) reports that troopers responded to 455 traffic crashes across the Commonwealth from midnight to 9 pm. Wednesday, with 64 being in the southwest region.
According to an update from the VSP on Wednesday night, the agency’s Wytheville Division, which covers all of Southwest Virginia, reported responding to 64 crashes, five of which had injuries involved.
There were no fatal crashes reported in Virginia during Wednesday’s weather event, according to the VSP.
For those who must travel, the VSP reminds drivers to do the following:
- 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.
For the latest road condition updates, Virginians can call 511 on a mobile phone or go online to the VDOT Virginia Traffic Information site at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.