10 PM UPDATE
As of 10 PM Sunday, the Virginia State Police are responding to the following:
Richmond Division:
16 Disabled Vehicles
25 Traffic Crashes
Culpeper Division:
0 Disabled Vehicles
5 Traffic Crashes
Appomattox Division:
13 Disabled Vehicles
3 Traffic Crash
Wytheville Division:
8 Disabled Vehicles
2 Traffic Crashes
Chesapeake Division:
3 Traffic Crashes
1 Disabled Vehicle
Salem Division:
11 Disabled Vehicles
7 Traffic Crashes
Fairfax Division:
3 Disabled Vehicles
4 Traffic Crashes
The majority of the crashes continue to involve only damage to vehicles. There have been no reported fatal traffic crashes.
5 PM UPDATE
As the snow continues to accumulate across the western, southern and central Virginia regions, the Virginia State Police continues to echo its earlier messages to Virginians: Please stay off the road and delay your travel until the highways are clear. As the temperatures drop, snow-covered roadways will become even more slick and treacherous. If you do have to travel, then please check VDOT's 511 for the latest in road conditions.
Disabled/stuck vehicles have been the primary cause of significant delays on interstates, especially on Interstate 81 in Washington County. The snow was coming down faster than the VDOT crews could keep up with midday Sunday and the interstate became impassable. Several tractor-trailers slid off the highway and other vehicles became stuck. Virginia troopers have been working all afternoon to help clear the highways and keep traffic moving.
The majority of traffic crashes occurring Sunday have involved only damage to vehicles. No fatal traffic crashes have been reported.
As of 5 PM Sunday, Virginia State Police are responding to:
Richmond Division:
31 Disabled Vehicles
68 Traffic Crashes
Culpeper Division:
3 Disabled Vehicles
11 Traffic Crashes
Appomattox Division:
23 Disabled Vehicles
14 Traffic Crashes
Wytheville Division:
13 Disabled Vehicles
6 Traffic Crashes
Chesapeake Division:
8 Disabled Vehicles
8 Traffic Crashes
Salem Division:
15 Disabled Vehicles
13 Traffic Crashes
Fairfax Division:
3 Disabled Vehicles
1 Traffic Crash
ORIGINAL
With winter weather and treacherous conditions widespread across western, southern and central Virginia, the Virginia State Police is advising motorists to avoid traveling, unless absolutely necessary. State police have increased patrols to ensure quick response and clearance of traffic crashes and disabled vehicles in those most impacted areas of the Commonwealth. As of 1 PM Sunday, Virginia State Police are responding to 32 traffic crashes in its Richmond Division; 14 crashes in its Appomattox Division; six crashes in its Wytheville Division; and 13 crashes in its Salem Division. The majority of the crashes involve only damage to vehicles. No traffic fatalities have been reported at this time.
State police is reminding all motorists who must drive today to #Drive2SaveLives by driving for conditions:
Slow Your Speed: Whether the roads are icy or just wet, surfaces are still slick and can cause a driver going too fast for conditions to lose control.
Stay Alert: Avoiding distractions - phone, radio, food, etc. - and focusing strictly on your role as a driver and on the other vehicles around you significantly increase your chances of avoiding a crash. Multi-tasking while driving puts yourself and others at risk. Also be alert to changing road conditions and share the road responsibly with all types of vehicles.
Buckle Up: Drivers and passengers should always buckle up for safety. If you lose control on a slick roadway and spin out, the seat belt holds you in place and will likely save your life.
511 for Road Conditions: Needing to know if it's safe to travel? Then call 511 or visit www.511virginia.orgor download the 511 App. Only call 911 if it's an emergency and not for road conditions.