VDOT News - Statewide

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation urges drivers to watch out for icy spots on roadways throughout the Commonwealth Sunday morning. Low overnight temperatures have caused re-freezing of any moisture on roadways and freezing rain remains a risk in areas along interstates 81 and 66 in the northern and northwest regions of Virginia. 

Less traveled roads, shady spots, ramps and bridges are likely to freeze first. Motorists are reminded to keep speeds slow and to use caution when traveling the Commonwealth.

VDOT crews will be staged in impacted regions to treat icy patches and slick spots to improve motorist traction. Teams will patrol and monitor road conditions until temperatures improve Sunday. 

Remember:

• Do not travel if conditions are icy.
• Give crews time to treat roads.
• If possible, avoid travel until frozen precipitation ceases and road conditions improve.
• If you must travel during adverse weather conditions:
• Allow plenty of time to reach your destination
•  Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you
•  Brake very lightly to keep your tires from slipping on pavement
•  Do not pass snowplows

• Keep an emergency winter weather kit in your vehicle which includes food, water, first aid materials, tools and blankets in the event of a breakdown or stoppage.
• Visit www.511Virginia.org for the latest road conditions before traveling. 

For more information on winter weather travel, visit virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.

Resources:

• To report hazardous road conditions or talk to a customer service representative, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or visit online at my.vdot.virginia.gov.
• VDOT recently partnered with Waze to add a new feature to the navigation software app that allows users to report, in real-time during winter weather, when a road has not been plowed. It will also inform travelers when they are approaching a road that has been identified by other drivers as unplowed. 
• Traffic information is also available on Twitter @511statewideVA; for general VDOT information, follow @VaDOT.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.