NORFOLK, Va. — Editor's Note: The above video from January 21, 2022 includes reminders for people who have to drive in winter weather anytime.
When there's a winter storm system headed for Hampton Roads (or once one gets here), it's not unusual for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to ask people to stay off the roads as much as possible.
A little bit of snow can be all it takes to make driving treacherous, and if you happen to encounter a more significant accumulation than just a "little bit," the potential danger can increase. Throw icy conditions into the mix, and you're talking event more trouble.
VDOT Hampton Roads said the safest place to be during a storm is inside. But for those who have to travel, the department said to complete travel before snowfall begins and stay off the roads until they are passable.
The department said its crews finished pre-treatment activities on Wednesday. Anti-icing trucks spread roughly 60,000 gallons across district interstates and other routes to help prevent icing.
During any winter weather event, VDOT crews typically work as part of 24-hour operations to plow and treat roads as necessary. Crews also go into standby mode to help with downed trees, branches and debris that may fall across the roadways.
Here are some reminders VDOT Hampton Roads wants people to keep in mind:
- Stay home. Avoid all nonessential travel.
- Give crews time to treat roads.
- If snow or ice is on the road, conditions are hazardous.
- Call 911 if you have an emergency.
- Check the latest road conditions. Do not travel until precipitation stops and road conditions improve.
VDOT also has several resources for drivers:
- You can get traffic conditions before traveling by calling 511 or visiting www.511virginia.org. You also can download Virginia’s free 511 mobile app on VDOT's website.
- Call 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) to report road hazards or ask road-related questions.
- Use the Waze app to report when a road hasn't been plowed. (By the way, the 13News Now App has Waze integration, so you can see traffic issues in the Commuter Outlook section of the app's Home section.)