Va Troopers Respond to 240+ Traffic Crashes Before 9 a.m.

Car slides towards the median on I-66 in Fairfax County, the morning of March 21. (Courtesy of the Virginia State Police.)

By Corrine Gellar of the Virginia State Police 

As the snow continues to fall across much of western, central and northern Virginia at this hour, Virginia State Police are responding to traffic crashes throughout.

The widespread school, business and government closings for the day have kept to prevent more accident.

Still, the Virginia State Police are still encouraging Virginians to delay their travel as conditions are deteriorating, especially in western and Northern Virginia.

From 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, through 8:45 a.m., Virginia State Police statewide have been called to 244 traffic crashes. The majority of the crashes have only involved damage to vehicles. There have been no reported traffic fatalities among the 244 crashes.

As of 8:45 a.m., state troopers are responding to 51 traffic crashes statewide and 9 disabled/stuck vehicles.

• 15 of the traffic crashes are in the Virginia State Police Richmond Division.
• 8 of the traffic crashes are in the Virginia State Police Culpeper Division.
• 11 traffic crashes are in the Virginia State Police Appomattox Division.
• 1 traffic crash is the VSP Wytheville Division…that one occurred at 8:43 a.m. in the southbound lanes of I-77 at the VA-NC line.
• 8 traffic crashes is the VSP Salem Division.
• 7 traffic crashes is the VSP Fairfax Division.

The majority of those disabled vehicles (6) are reported in the Virginia State Police Fairfax Division.

State police still stress drivers to delay travel.

If you do have to travel, then please prepare in advance and keep the following travel safety tips in mind:

• For road conditions, Virginians are reminded to use the VDOT 511 system. Please do not call 911 or #77 to ask about road conditions, as these are emergency numbers and need to remain open to emergency calls.
• Make sure all windows and lights are clear of snow before heading out.
• Always buckle up – driver and all passengers.
• Drive distraction free – put down the phone and coffee, and keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
• Slow speed for conditions.
• Use headlights to increase your visibility and to help other drivers see you better.
• Share the road responsibly with VDOT vehicles and emergency vehicles.