Weather Conditions Make VA Roads Less Safe
Press releases from the Virginia Department of Transportation around recent winter storms show how public offices are devoted to giving residents detailed updates on what local roads are like.
One prominent example is this VDOT release posted December 10 on the web site of local NBC affiliate WVIR 29. This post goes through a list of local counties including Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Greene, Madison and Orange, detailing what roads look like in each of these localities, with an emphasis on precipitation, icy conditions, and low visibility.
Other Aspects of VDOT Updates
These notices also go into Virginia Department of Transportation efforts to improve local roads. In this particular case, this involves the treating of roads, and snow clearing, with a primary focus on interstates and major roads. In many areas of Virginia, trucks dump sand or salt to improve traction on roads.
As a public health and safety issue, the update also asks drivers to drive more slowly to provide for increment weather. The Virginia Department of Transportation also maintains up-to-date information on its website at www.511virginia.org. All of this is crucial for supporting safety as winter storms approach. In inclement weather conditions, vital arteries like rt. 95 from Northern Virginia and rt. 64 inland from Tidewater become harder to navigate, which can create unique safety hazards for long-distance drivers. Public awareness services help make it easier for everyone to get home safely. Virginia injury law firm offices like MartinWren, P.C. that deal with the aftermath of roadway accidents understand the dangers of bad weather, and the need for concentrated safety efforts.
Increment Weather and Responsibilities
These kinds of efforts by state offices are part of a greater initiative to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities related to winter storms. However, individual drivers also have a lot of responsibility in taking steps to limit chances of injury for themselves or others on the roadway.
Part of this involves maintaining vehicles adequately. Routine safety inspections in Virginia and other states become much more important when there are storms or lower visibility conditions, where drivers have to use features like windshield wipers and get more functionality out of a vehicle.
Another driver responsibility is to take care to address existing hazards like low visibility, decreased traction on roads, and all of the other effects of winter storms that make driving more dangerous and more of a challenge. Experts suggest putting more car lengths between vehicles to provide for the adjusted braking that may be required. Drivers should also know how to respond to an accident, for example, getting vehicles as far from roadways as possible.
Legal Help for Auto Accidents
After an auto accident, many drivers and passengers will need to talk to Virginia injury law firm offices about how to move forward. There may be problems getting information or payouts from insurance companies, or concerns about adequate compensation for injury. Call MartinWren, P.C. and get detailed information from a top Virginia injury law firm.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
