Winter weather alert: Crashes, hazardous driving in James City County
The video above is Meteorologist Don Slater's Midday forecast on Tuesday.
JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - In response to multiple crashes Tuesday that temporarily closed News and Centerville roads, James City County Police issued a traffic advisory urging drives to reduce speed, increase following distance and allow extra time to get to where they are going.
It comes as a winter storm has arrived in Virginia and is expected to linger over the state through Wednesday morning, bringing snow, freezing rain and hazardous road conditions, officials said.
This screenshot from VDOT taken around 1:30 p.m. shows multiple crashes on I-64 as well, in the Williamsburg/James City County area. Courtesy: VDOT
The Virginia Department of Transportation cautions that roads may be slick, and conditions can change rapidly. If possible, it advises to avoid travel until conditions improve.
VDOT crews are working to plow and treat roads as needed, it said in a statement Tuesday. Snow has been affecting much of the state, while a wintry mix with freezing rain is expected to fall across central and southern Virginia throughout the afternoon and evening. The most significant impacts from freezing rain could occur in areas along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Bristol, Salem, Staunton and Lynchburg, officials said.
Virginia State Police are monitoring the forecast, which included accumulating snow, ice and rain over much of Virginia beginning Tuesday.
Screenshot of VDOT camera on I-64 eastbound at mile marker 235. Feb. 11, 2025
If you have to travel, State Police reminds drivers to do the following:
- Use headlights. Increasing your visibility helps you to avoid slick and dangerous spots on the road, as well as helps other drivers see you better.
- Slow your speed. Though state police works closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to identify problem areas on Virginia’s highways during a winter storm, drivers still must drive for 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 of your vehicle.
- Don’t tailgate. You need increased stopping distance on slick road surfaces. Give yourself more space between vehicles traveling ahead of you to avoid rear end collisions.
- Buckle Up. Most crashes that occur during winter weather are caused by vehicles sliding into guardrails, off the road or other vehicles. Wearing your seat belt protects you from being thrown around the inside of your vehicle and suffering serious injury in a crash.
- Check Your Vehicle. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order for the conditions. Fill up the tank in advance. Check windshield wipers, windshield wiper fluid, tire tread, battery life, etc.
- Don’t leave home without a window scraper, blanket, bottled water, snack, cell phone charger and flashlight.
VDOT said people can report fallen trees to its 24-hour customer service center at my.vdot.virginia.gov, or by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
Snow removal priorities are as follows:
- Interstates and limited-access highways are cleared first.
- Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary roads (routes 600 and higher) serving emergency and public facilities are treated next.
- Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets are treated after higher-priority routes are cleared.
For the latest in road conditions and updates, you can call 511 on a cell phone or go online to the VDOT Virginia Traffic Information Website at www.511virginia.org