Salt Truck Overturns in Newport News as Bad Weather Hits Tidewater

An accident in which a dump truck carrying salt overturned on Fort Eustis Boulevard in Newport News has highlighted the dangers of bad weather in Hampton Roads.

WAVY.com reported on how a dump truck carrying salt overturned on Wednesday morning. Newport News police closed westbound Ft. Eustis Boulevard at Jefferson Avenue. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. It’s not clear if bad weather was a factor, but sleet and slippery conditions were reported across Virginia.

A winter weather advisory was issued for parts of Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina through Wednesday afternoon. Road crews and local officials were reported to be on standby for the low temperatures and wet roads in the area Wednesday.

Several school systems including Suffolk and businesses announced delays for Wednesday morning because of the anticipated weather conditions. Other school districts have acknowledged they are closely monitoring conditions but have not decided to alter schedules to date.

Last year Hampton Roads was hit by a series of heavy snow falls. When bad weather hits Tidewater, drivers are often ill prepared for it,

When it snows or sleets, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) issues bad weather driving tips. They include:

• Put off any unnecessary travel until road conditions improve. If feel you have to drive, be aware of the current road conditions and weather forecasts.
• Keep your speed down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Always be aware of the dangers on potentially icy areas such as bridges, overpasses and areas in shade that freeze over first
• If there is heavy snow, ice or high winds, know the potential driving hazards including fallen tree branches, trees and electricity lines.
• Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and snowplows. Never pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary. It will be clearing a path for you and the road in front of it will be more dangerous.

Recently Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers issued advice on how to prepare your car for bad weather. Just two hours of preparation could avoid the danger of a breakdown during bad weather.

” The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “A vehicle check before the temperatures drop is a sensible way to avoid the inconvenience of being stranded out in the cold and with the unexpected expense of emergency repairs.”

If you are hit and injured by a driver who fails to drive properly in bad conditions, you may have grounds to make a claim on that driver’s insurance policy. Call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 or see CooperHurley.com.