Virginia sees 141 crashes in just 12 hours amid winter storm, VSP provides safety tips
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As the season's first winter storm rolls through the Commonwealth, Virginia State Police (VSP) is sharing some tips to reduce potential crashes on the road.
According to VSP, between 12 a.m. and noon on Friday, Dec. 5, there have been a total of 141 crashes across Virginia.
None of those crashes have been deadly, but 20 have resulted in injuries.
Nearly 30 of those crashes have taken place in Central Virginia, with seven of them resulting in injuries. VSP has also responded to 24 reports of disabled vehicles in the region.
RELATED: 4 people hospitalized after 10-vehicle crash on I-95 in Richmond
Here are some tips that state police are sharing to help drivers drive safely:
- Use your headlights: Increasing visibility helps drivers see better and avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road.
- Clear all snow off of your vehicle: This prevents snow from blowing back onto your vehicle and limiting your vision, or coming off of your vehicle and impacting other drivers’ vision.
- Slow down: Although VSP and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) work together to keep roads clear, drivers are asked to slow down according to conditions. Slowing your speed gives you more time to safely react and avoid a crash. Drive your vehicle based on your ability to properly maintain control.
- Don't tailgate: Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear-end collisions. Drivers need to increase stopping distance on slick road surfaces.
- Check your vehicle: Fill up your tank in advance and make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Be sure to check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread and battery life.
- Buckle up: Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash. According to VSP, most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or into other vehicles.
- Keep these in your car: Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.
