Several motorists became stranded in inches of snow due to bad road conditions in West Virginia.
West Virginia received 12 inches of snow as a major winter storm hit East Coast. Accumulated snow worsened road conditions in the state and caused many commuters to become stranded. Bob Spieldenner of Virginia Department of Emergency Management tells that as many as 100 motorist were helped to get out of snow. Many commuters became stranded on roads in West Virginia due to accidents on Interstate 89 and Route 29. He told that four-wheelers and Humvees were used to reach the stranded commuters on these roads. These motorists were helped to reach shelters in nearby counties while others, who had fuel and food, preferred to remain inside their vehicles. They insisted on waiting inside their cars for roads to clear. Rough road conditions were observed on Interstate 81 too.
With the forecasts of heavy snow on weekend, many shoppers swamped the markets on Friday morning to do Christmas buying. A shopkeeper from Lynchburg, Virginia tells that many shoppers headed to the shops on Friday mornings to finish up on their holiday shopping.
Governor Tim Kaine has announced a snow emergency in Virginia and urged the residents to avoid travel due to bad road conditions. More than 40 flights were canceled on Richmond Airport, Virginia.
Driving Tips to survive bad road conditions
According to driving experts, following tips will help you to survive rough road conditions:
- Avoid fast driving as snow and rain makes the road wet. In such a situation, the roads offer less resistance and hence drivers should keep speed low to avoid winter mishaps.
- While driving, keep looking far ahead to scan the road for any issues. Looking far ahead can help you identify an icy patch or road wreck.
- Do not apply brakes instantly as slamming on brakes can make you lose total control of your car. It is one of the major mistakes which could cause accidents on slippery roads.
West Virginia Road
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