Virginia State Police say they responded to more than 200 crashes throughout the Commonwealth Monday morning amid winter weather conditions.
The crashes include incidents that happened between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Police say while not all of the reported crashes may be weather-related, the incidents provide insight into what's happening on the roads.
In the Hampton Roads region, state police responded to 22 crashes, including six that involved injuries.
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State police say they responded to fewer crashes in Hampton Roads between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. They handled eight crashes in our area, including one with injuries.
Some parts of our area saw flurries of snow over the weekend, and News 3 Meteorologist Myles Henderson says there's a chance Monday’s midday rain could switch back to snow as cold air returns in the evening. He says the cold air could also cause some icy conditions on the roads Tuesday.
State police shared the same concerns about refreezing overnight. They're urging drivers to stay off the roads to allow VDOT to make them passable for vehicles.
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VSP also shared the following precautions drivers should keep in mind during inclement weather:
- Use headlights: Increasing your visibility helps you avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road and helps other drivers see you better.
- Slow down: Although state police work closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers must adjust their speed for conditions. Slowing down gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive based on your ability to maintain control of your vehicle.
- Don’t tailgate: Increased stopping distance is crucial on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles ahead of you to avoid rear-end collisions.
- Buckle up: Most crashes during winter weather occur when vehicles slide into guardrails, off the road, or into other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around inside your vehicle and suffering serious injuries in a crash.
- Check your vehicle: Ensure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance, and check your windshield wipers, wiper fluid, tire tread, and battery life.
- Always be prepared: a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger, and flashlight.
