Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – As a winter storm bears down on the region, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have been working around the clock to keep roadways clear. Sharon Ketchum from VDOT’s Culpeper District joined Morning News to discuss the department’s preparations and urge residents to stay off the roads. “We started brining yesterday on the Interstate, and some of our crews started at midnight last night staging on the interstates and in other areas,” Ketchum said. 

With heavy snowfall, Ketchum stressed the importance of giving road crews space to work. “Our message is to stay off the road until the storm ends and immediately thereafter, while we’re still pushing the snow,” she emphasized. Even after the storm clears, roads may still be hazardous due to lingering ice patches, requiring additional treatment from VDOT crews. 

Ketchum also addressed the dangers of overconfidence in snowy conditions, referencing an anecdote from the previous storm where a driver became stuck after slowing down for another stranded vehicle. “I’m pretty darn sure we talked during that last snowstorm, and you heard me say, stay home during the storm,” she said. She concluded with a note of appreciation for those heeding the warnings, saying, “We do appreciate drivers who say, ‘OK, you know what? I’m going to heed the warnings, stay home, eat my hot chocolate, and watch the snowfall.” 

Listen here for the full conversation: