Va, State Police answer nearly 500 calls for assistance since midnight Jan. 11

Between midnight until noon today (Jan. 11, 2025), Virginia State Police report State Troopers have responded to more than 400 incidents and nearly 100 (94) crashes across Virginia.  While the storm has now moved out of Virginia, Virginia State Police encourage drivers to avoid travel as much as possible to allow the Virginia Department of Transportation the opportunity to make the roads as passable as possible.

Here is the accident summary as provided by Virginia State Police:

Div.1 (Richmond) - VSP has responded to 28 total crashes.
Div. 2 (Culpeper) - VSP has responded to 6 crashes
Div. 3 (Appomattox) - VSP has responded to 9 crashes
Div. 4 (Wytheville) VSP has responded to 4 crashes
Div. 5 (Chesapeake) - VSP has responded to 37 crashes
Div. 6 (Salem) - VSP has responded to 6 crashes
Div. 7 (Fairfax) - VSP has responded to 4 crashes

If you do need to drive today:

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. 

For the latest in road conditions and updates, call 511 on a cell phone or go online to the VDOT Virginia Traffic Information Website at 511.vdot.virginia.gov.

Virginians are asked to only call 911 or #77 on a cell phone in case of emergency. It is essential to keep emergency dispatch lines open for those in serious need of police, fire or medical response, VSP said.