Slick road conditions continued to cause problems Monday, as more than 1,100 motorists crashed on Virginia’s highways.
Virginia State Police responded to 1,145 crashes and 451 disabled vehicles between 12 a.m. and 6. 30 p.m. in Central Virginia, according to Virginia State Police spokesman Corinne Geller.
The majority of traffic crashes involve damaged vehicles and no injuries. However, three fatal crashes were confirmed as weather-related.
There were three fatalities in Amelia, Brunswick, and Campbell Counties. Two of the crashes were single-vehicle crashes.
In Campbell County the teen driver of the car lost control and was hit by an oncoming truck. The driver of the truck was not injured.
A Virginia State Police trooper was struck while investigating a traffic crash on Interstate 81 and taken to the hospital for precautionary measures.
In the Richmond division there were 455 traffic crashes, 104 disabled vehicles out of 710 total calls for service. This was greater than any other state wide division.
State Police provided the following winter driving tips:
Driving Tips in Inclement Weather
• State law requires headlights to be on when windshield wipers are in active use
• Completely clear all windows and head/taillights of snow/ice before traveling
• Add extra time to reach travel destination
• Slow your speed for road conditions
• Increase driving distances between vehicles for increased stopping distance
• Do not tailgate snow plows or sand trucks
• Always Buckle up and ensure your passengers are buckled up as well
• Do not drive distracted
• If your vehicle begins to hydroplane steer your vehicle in the direction you want your vehicle to go
• Brake and accelerate lightly
• Plan ahead before you travel by calling 511 for road conditions or click on http://www.511virginia.org – Do not call 911 or #77, as these are for emergency calls only
• Have a charged cell phone and extra blankets, water, snacks in case your vehicle becomes disabled
• Know your location to give to an emergency dispatcher to include the direction of travel in case you need emergency response. Use exit numbers or mile markers when on the interstate as points of reference (For example, Interstate 95 northbound at the 80 mile marker.)
• Motorists are also reminded to comply with Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to cautiously pass emergency personnel stopped on the side of the road. State law includes highway maintenance vehicles and tow trucks equipped with flashing amber lights.
The Richmond Division includes:
- Richmond
- Petersburg
- Amelia
- Caroline
- Chesterfield
- Charles City
- Dinwiddie
- Essex
- Goochland
- Hanover
- Henrico
- King and Queen
- King William
- Lancaster
- Louisa
- New Kent
- Nottoway
- Northumberland
- Powhatan
- Richmond County
- Westmoreland
- Prince George
- King George
