Numerous Wet Weather-Related Crashes Are Reported in Hampton Roads

Rain makes roads more slippery and increases stopping times. Although most drivers know this, many still fail to slow down when rain hits. This morning, wet weather-related crashes on the Peninsula and the Southside caused chaos during the morning commute.

State Police worked numerous weather-related crashes on the Peninsula and Southside of Hampton Roads Tuesday morning.

The spate of accidents led Sergeant Michelle Anaya of Virginia State Police to remind drivers to slow down, move over for emergency vehicles, or take alternate routes, reported WAVY.com.

Anaya said as of 8 a.m. Tuesday morning police were working 12 different accidents. The number of crashes did not include any accidents they have cleared.

All of the bad weather-related crashes involved property damage with no reports of personal injuries.

In Hampton, a fiery tractor-trailer crash on I-664 close to the I-64 interchange in shut down traffic for hours.

WAVY reported the fire closed down both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-664 as crews extinguished the fire. Northbound traffic was diverted off at Powhatan, while southbound traffic used the right shoulder.

Fire Crews were on the scene of the blaze just after 5 a.m. and found the truck engulfed in flames. Hampton Fire officials said no injuries occurred. However, the southbound lanes of the interstate were not re-opened until 9:45 a.m.

It’s not the first time in recent years that drivers in Hampton Roads have struggled to cope with conditions. In June 2015 storms caused havoc on the highways of Tidewater during the morning commute into Norfolk.

Drivers can avoid accidents in wet weather by taking some simple bad weather driving tips.

These include keeping your lights on if it’s raining and not using cruise control. You should give other drivers more space and moderate your speed.

You should also be cautious about applying your brakes. If you apply your brakes too suddenly in wet weather you may lose control and go into a skid.

Another serious hazard in wet weather is that of hydroplaning. This occurs when weather lodges in between the tires of your car and the roadway. This causes the car to lose grip and traction, making it nearly impossible to steer or brake. Hydroplaning occurs most frequently when drivers are traveling at speeds above 45 miles per hour.

If you have been hurt in an accident caused by the fault of another driver, please call our Hampton Roads car accident lawyers at (757) 333-3333.