RICHMOND, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UPDATE 11:50AM, 1/6: Virginia State Police say they responded 33 crashes with one reported injury in the Culpeper District from 4am-to-11am Monday. State Police’s Matt Demlein says while not all of these crashes may be weather-related, it does provide a picture of what’s being seen on the roads. See the driving tips below if you have to travel today.

ORIGINAL:

Virginia State Police worked 15 crashes in our Culpeper District from midnight-until-4 this morning with no reported injuries. However, there were injuries in those overnight crashes in the six other jurisdictions they patrol. Between 4am-and-midnight Sunday, State Police worked 181 crashes with 20 reported injuries. If you have to travel, they urge the following precautions:

o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.
o Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.