More 12-Hour Shifts for VDOT Employees? Photo by Tom Saunders, VDOT.
Once more, winter weather is in the forecast and motorists should be alert to changing road conditions.
According to forecasters, precipitation in the form of snow flurries is expected to reach northern portions of the Lynchburg District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on Tuesday morning and continue into Wednesday. At times the snow may be heavy and/or mix with icy precipitation. Southern parts of the district may start as mixed precipitation and transition to rain and to wet snow showers.
VDOT offers the following tips for driving in winter weather:
- Avoid unnecessary travel. If you must drive, know the current road conditions and weather forecasts. Call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org.
- Make sure your windows, mirrors and lights are clear of ice and snow.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Allow extra time to travel to your destination.
- Be aware of potentially icy areas such as bridges, overpasses and shady spots.
- Reduce speed and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles.
- Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car, including a small bag of rock salt, sand or cat litter to provide traction in case you get stuck, a snowbrush and ice scraper, a flashlight, battery booster cables, a blanket and extra clothing.
- Practice common sense. Remember that your car cannot start, stop, or turn as quickly and surely on snow or ice as it does on dry pavement, so think and drive accordingly.
The Lynchburg District consists of the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Cumberland, Halifax, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Prince Edward.
