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Hampton Roads may have seen lighter snowfall than many other parts of Virginia during this weekend’s storm but the high number of accidents has again highlighted how some drivers struggle to adjust to wintry conditions.
Many of the accidents that were reported in Virginia occurred in the Tidewater area and at least two out of three fatal crashes in Hampton Roads were linked to the slippery roads.
Police said a lethal combination of speed and icy road conditions likely caused a fatal crash in Virginia Beach on Saturday.
The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m. in the 8100 block of Atlantic Avenue. Police said the driver of the vehicle died at the scene. Shore Drive was closed for a period as emergency workers cleared the debris.
By Saturday morning, Virginia State Police had reported more than 1,000 auto accidents in the Commonwealth. In Hampton Roads, a young driver lost his life when he lost control of his car and slid off the road and into a tree in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake on Friday. A woman died in a fatal crash on Saturday morning on I-64 West close to the Indian River Road intersection.
Although the sun came out on Sunday and snow stopped falling, hazardous conditions remained on some roads. Police asked motorists to avoid a section of Indian River Road after several vehicles slid off the road. Indian River Road south from Elbow Road to North Landing Road was closed until further notice, according to a Virginia Beach police news release. Icy conditions were also reported on Elbow Road extending into Chesapeake. Police have been asking motorists to limit their travel until all the roads can be cleared of ice.
The Daily Press reported a large number of the accidents in Virginia, occurred in Hampton Roads. Virginia State Police reported responding to 269 accidents in the Hampton Roads area between 12 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, state police spokeswoman Michelle Anaya said. Police also responded to 88 calls for disabled vehicles in Tidewater.
“Hampton Roads contained the most accidents of any region of the state. The Richmond area reported the next highest total with 262 accidents,” stated the Daily Press. Tidal flooding added to the winter misery in low lying areas such as Norfolk and Hampton.
The high accident toll in Hampton Roads is further evidence that many drivers are unfamiliar with driving in icy conditions and drive too fast for the roads. It’s imperative that drivers follow winter weather driving tips and take care on the roads until conditions have improved. Although the storm is now over, you should stay at home unless you have to get behind the wheel. If you have been injured due to the fault of another driver, call our Virginia injury lawyers at (757) 455-0077.