‘It’s part of the job’: Ride-share drivers brave snowy roads despite safety warnings

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With Tuesday's snow storm, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has urged drivers to stay off the roads until the snow and ice melt later this week, but for ride-share drivers with Uber and Lyft, the snowstorm presents a unique challenge.

"Sometimes, I tell my passengers, ‘This might be the slowest drive ever,’ and they totally get that," said ride-share driver, Kit. "My job is just to be safe."

Kit has been driving through Richmond's snowy streets for the past four years. Kit said the job never stops, even when weather conditions are less than ideal.

"It's part of the job," he said.

Though the storm rages on, VDOT has deployed 1,400 pieces of equipment -- including trucks, plows and tractors -- to clear the roads around Richmond. Wednesday and Thursday it is expected to rain and has the possibility of freezing.

"I would drive slow if I decide to drive on the ice, extra slow," Kit said. "You have to watch out for the intersections or patches of snow, you have to watch out for hydroplaning and pedestrian traffic."

Kit said he avoids highways, but that there is a positive side to being a ride-share driver on a snowy day.

"It might actually be safer for me," he said. "Other drivers are not on the road where on a regular day they might just drive crazy."

Earlier on Wednesday, Virginia State Police reported there were 305 crashes in a 16-hour period throughout the Commonwealth.

While authorities are urging people to avoid driving during the winter weather conditions, they have provided some guidelines for those who must travel.