AAA Predicts Increase in Holiday Travel for 5th Straight Year

AAA projects nearly 2.7 million Virginians will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, an increase of 3.7 percent from one year ago. The year-end holiday travel period is defined as Thursday, December 23, 2010, to Sunday, January 2, 2011.

Although gas prices have dramatically increased this December, approximately 2.5 million Virginians, or close to 93 percent of those traveling, will rely on their automobile for transportation to their year-end holiday destinations. That represents a 3.8 percent percent increase from the over 2.4 million who drove last year.

More details are online at AAA Mid-Atlantic.

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Holiday Traveling with Children

Families who are traveling to spend the holidays with family and friends this year are encouraged, by AAA Mid-Atlantic, to remember that children should be included in the planning process.

“Children are not just smaller adults. They require special attention and little bit of time to plan for their needs will go a long way towards preventing stress on your holiday journey,” suggested Windy VanCuren, spokesperson at AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Planning ahead does not mean planning every moment of the trip. When traveling with children, it is important to keep the schedule flexible. Don’t expect children to do too much or to follow a rigid schedule. “Keep your options open in the event children get bored. Many times, after a long day, kids are content to go back to the hotel and swim in the pool,” noted VanCuren.

AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following tips for traveling with children:

• Educate children about where the family is going and what they will be doing when they get there. Encourage them to ask questions.
• Don’t let the little ones feel left out. Give them a sense of responsibility by letting them pack a small suitcase or bag with their favorite games. A child’s blanket or pillow can be a big help for small ones who have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places.
• Carry plenty of snacks, drinks and toys.
• Remember prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines as well as a first-aid kit.
• If traveling long distances, plans stops along the way to see interesting sights, visit friends, shop, etc. Breaking up the trip refreshes everyone for the next leg of the journey and remember children need more frequent stops than adults.
• Be flexible in restaurant selections along the way – most children do not have adult tastes.
• If driving, share the responsibilities for picking the music. For small children, pick out music or books on tape for the whole family to enjoy.
• Give children space in the car. Because children have short attention spans, don’t try to restrict them over a long period of time.
• Play games to keep children busy. Name state capitols, flowers or mottos from license plates, or hold a spelling bee. Coloring books and activity books are good bets for keeping children from getting bored.
• Make plane rides more comfortable for children and infants by giving them something to suck or chew on. It will help relieve discomfort caused by changes in air pressure.
• Always buckle up. Children are safest when they are properly restrained – it could mean the difference between a memorable vacation and a disastrous one.
• Dress appropriately and comfortably for the weather at your departure point as well as your destination. Be prepared for weather changes with sweaters or rain jackets.
• Children should always remain under direct supervision. Be alert to situations where your child’s safety could be threatened.

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Moving Forward on Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects

From the December e-mail newsletter of Potomac District Supervisor Andrea McGimsey comes the following affecting pedestrians and bicyclists.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on December 7th to pass three of my initiatives that will make Loudoun a safer place for pedestrians and bicyclists. The first of these items called for the county to investigate and prioritize a list of bicycle and pedestrian projects so that we can apply for federal funding as it becomes increasingly available. The first priority will be ensuring that pedestrians and cyclists can easily and safely access the planned metro stations at Routes 606 and 772, which are scheduled for completion by December 2016 (although the Board has one more vote to go to make metro a certainty – more on that later.) We also voted to study what can be done to better accommodate members of our community with disabilities.

Safer and better access for pedestrians and cyclists will help alleviate traffic congestion on our roads, promote good health and a clean environment, increase public safety, and provide choices to Loudoun residents and businesses. Another great benefit will be keeping more parking spots open at the metro stations for those who need to drive and park.

In addition, McGimsey wrote that the Board of Supervisors "initiated an amendment to the Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) at the November 16th Business Meeting to include an extension of Sterling Boulevard. This extension runs from the Route 28 Interchange and the intersection with Pacific Boulevard to the area where the new 606 metro station is planned. This change will be a great benefit to Sterling residents and businesses."

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Winter Driving Tips

While we might have dodged a big snowfall here in Loudoun County this past weekend, as we know from history, we will get our share of snow and wintry weather. And to be better prepared, here's some winter driving tips, courtesy of VDOT:

• Ensure that your vehicle is winter-ready.
• Keep a five-second distance or more behind other vehicles. Do no pass trucks applying chemicals unless absolutely necessary.
• Be aware of areas prone to freezing such as ramps and bridges.
• When driving on ice, do not slam on brakes. Turn gently and slowly.
• Keep an emergency winter kit in your car.
• Always wear your seatbelt.

Stay safe Loudoun County commuters!

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Holiday Special Mid-Morning Bus to D.C. This Week

Are museums, monuments, or the National Mall part of your holiday plans this week?

Tomorrow, Monday, December 27, through Thursday, December 30, Loudoun County Transit offers commuter bus service scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C. just as the museums open. Look for Bus DC 27 on the special bus schedule at www.loudoun.gov/bus.

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to Loudoun County commuters and all the faithful followers of Loudoun County Traffic.

Thanks for your readership and here's to a happy and safe holiday season for you and yours.

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VDOT Clears Path for Holiday Travel

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will remove temporary work zones on major roads to provide a clear path for holiday travelers to reach their destinations over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

While thousands of motorists are making holiday travel plans, VDOT is keeping an eye on winter weather forecasted to impact the commonwealth this weekend (Dec. 24-26.) Crews are readying equipment and preparing to work through the holiday if needed to keep drivers safe on Virginia’s roadways.

Until noon Monday, Dec. 27, and from noon Thursday, Dec. 30, until noon Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, no additional lane closures will be established for construction or maintenance activities on Virginia’s major roads except for those needed to deal with emergency road repairs. Permanent construction barriers will remain in place.

Behind the scenes, VDOT’s maintenance managers are monitoring weather forecasts and preparing to mobilize crews in impacted areas to ensure any storm does not strand holiday travelers.

Despite the holiday, VDOT will staff all of its snow-removal equipment and offices if the anticipated storm dumps measurable precipitation on Virginia’s highways.

Before leaving home, visit www.511Virginia.org to plan your trip, view real-time traffic cameras or view the road condition maps.

Call 511 from any landline or cell phone in Virginia to listen to the latest traffic and road conditions around the state. If you need updated traffic information while you’re driving, pull off the road to call 511.

Travelers also may call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623) to report road hazards or ask any road-related questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


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Loudoun Deputy Recognized for Efforts in Fight Against Impaired Driving

A Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy was recently recognized for her efforts in the fight against impaired driving.

Deputy Specialist Katie Baldwin was among several law enforcement officers from the region recognized by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) for their outstanding commitment in the fight against drunk driving.

Baldwin, a five-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, removed 22 impaired drivers from Loudoun’s roadways during the past year.

Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson said the efforts of Baldwin and the entire agency sends a clear message to impaired motorists, "if you drink and drive, we’re going to catch you."

The annual event is in part a kick-off campaign for the Holiday SoberRide Program and also recognizes members of law enforcement for their efforts in impaired driving prevention.

Founded in 1982, WRAP, is an award winning, public-private partnership working to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington-metropolitan area.

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Information About the Crosstrail/ Kincaid Boulevard Project is Now Online

In collaboration with the Dewberry engineering firm, the Loudoun County Office of Transportation Services has launched a website for the Crosstrail Boulevard and Kincaid Boulevard construction project.

The website contains concept plans, as well as the PowerPoint presentation and handouts from the November 8, 2010, public information session. Residents in the vicinity of this project and interested citizens are encouraged to check the website for updates.

The Web address is: www.loudouncountytransportation.com/crosstrailhome.htm.

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Are Your Tires Properly Inflated?

Millions of U.S. drivers fail to maintain proper tire pressure, which is not only a safety risk but also wastes gas and money. According to a study by the Rubber Manufacturers Association, 55 percent of vehicles on the road today have at least one underinflated tire.

In the Washington, D.C. area, the study revealed that nearly 6 percent of D.C. vehicles had at least one bald tire; 64 percent of drivers do not know how to check tread depth; and 9 percent of D.C. area drivers said they never check their tread depth. And according to the NHTSA, only 8 percent of drivers check their tire pressure weekly and only 21 percent check it monthly.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association reports that tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32nds of an inch.

Do you know how to check your tread depth? If not, use a penny, which is a reliable tool to check tire tread.

• Take a penny and put Lincoln's head into one of the grooves of the tire tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal amount of tread.
• If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to replace the tire.

Watch the video below for more:


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Sobriety Checkpoint Tonight in Eastern Loudoun County

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight, Friday, December 17, in Eastern Loudoun County. The sobriety checkpoint will be held from 10 p.m. this evening to 3 a.m. on Saturday, December 18.

The Sheriffs Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving. 
 
The Sheriffs Office currently conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays.

?Our ultimate goal is to ensure the roads are safe for all motorists by achieving voluntary compliance with the drinking and driving laws,? said Loudoun County Sheriff Steve Simpson. ?If you drink and drive, we?re going to catch you,? Simpson warned.   
 
Members of the Sheriff?s Office Auxiliary Unit and volunteers from the Loudoun Chapter of MADD will assist with the checkpoint.

Use Caution Today in Inclement Weather

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reminds motorists to use caution in light of today's inclement weather. The agency is currently responding to a number of property damage crashes and disabled vehicles throughout the county. 
 
Many vehicles are having difficulty traveling on the roadways as conditions are hazardous.  
 
Emergency personnel remind motorists to keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles as well as trucks that are plowing the road. Do not pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles. 

There have been a few cases where traffic lights are malfunctioning or are without power. An intersection where the traffic signals are off due to power failure must be treated as a four-way stop.  
 
Most importantly, drive smart.

Expect Delays Due to a House

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reports that motorists should expect delays in the area of Canby Road, Loudoun Orchard Road, Thomas Mill Road and Harmony Church Road due to a house fire. Emergency personnel remain on the scene.

Motorists are also advised of possible icy conditions on Dry Mill Road in the area of Wage Drive and Thomas Mill Road.

Route 15 Now Open

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reports that Route 15 just north of New Road is now open in both directions. Crash scene clean-up continues, however, and motorists should expect delays in the area.

Route 15 Closed at New Road

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reports that Route 15 at New Road is closed (at approx. 8:30 a.m.) in both directions due to a vehicle crash

"The Telework Big Picture" Free Webcast is Tonight

The Telework Exchange is hosting a complimentary Webcast, "The Telework Big Picture," tonight, Wednesday, December 15, that will focus on the essentials of building a telework program, including identifying program requirements, building the business case for telework and determining appropriate technology solutions. National Telework Week will also be discussed as a way to jump start telework programs.

Register to watch the Webcast and learn how you and your business can take part in telework.

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Traffic Detours Today in Sterling for Funeral Procession

The Loudoun Sheriff’s Office is assisting Loudoun County Fire and Rescue with a funeral procession for Sterling resident and retired Battalion Fire Chief in the District of Columbia Fire Department Alan W. Dutton today, Tuesday, December 14.

The funeral procession will travel from Sterling United Methodist Church (304 East Church Road) to Sterling Cemetery. The section of Church Road in front of the Sterling Methodist Church will be closed from 12:30 p.m. Tuesday until after the service. Residents living in the affected area will be allowed to pass through this area.

Limited parking at the cemetery makes it necessary to close Church Road to all vehicle traffic from Magnolia Road to Cascades Parkway. Traffic will be detoured from these intersections to alternate routes via Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office signboards.

All traffic coming onto Church Road heading toward Cascades Parkway will be instructed to turn right on Cascades Parkway and follow detour instructions delivered via a signboard.

Traffic approaching from Church Road at Magnolia Road will travel on Magnolia Road to Blossom Road or Atlantic Boulevard.

Alan became a junior firefighter at the Sterling Park Volunteer Fire Department in 1969. He was appointed to the District of Columbia Fire Department on February 27, 1977. He moved from Sterling Park to Aldie, Va. in 1979, where he became a member of the Aldie Volunteer Fire Department until 1994 when he moved back to Sterling, Va. Alan, a life-member of the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department, retired as a Battalion Fire Chief in the District of Columbia Fire Department on November 21, 2009.

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Winter Weather Safe Driving Tips from the Loudoun County Sherrif' s Office

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office reminds motorists that winter driving can be hazardous, especially in our area where we normally receive a mixture of ice, freezing rain and snow.

Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson advises county motorists to make sure their vehicles are equipped with a well-stocked winter driving kit. A winter driving kit should include the following items:

• Properly fitting tire chains
• Bag of sand or salt (or kitty litter)
• Traction mats
• Snow shovel
• Snow brush
• Ice scraper
• Booster cables
• Warning devices such as flares or emergency lights
• Fuel line de-icer (methanol, also called methyl alcohol or methyl hydrate)
• Extra windshield wiper fluid appropriate for sub-freezing temperatures
• Roll of paper towels
• Flashlight and a portable flashing light (and extra batteries)
• Blanket
• Extra clothing, including hat and wind-proof pants, and warm footwear
• First aid kit
• Snack bars or other "emergency" food and water
• Matches and emergency candles. Only use these with a window opened to prevent build-up of carbon monoxide.
• Road maps
• "Call Police" or other help signs or brightly colored banners.

Safe Winter Driving Tips
The Sheriff's Office reminds motorists to stay safe in the winter by also following these tips:

• Always keep the gas tank topped off. When it gets to half, fill it up.
• Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to make the trip, ensure someone is aware of your route of travel.
• Carry a cellular phone. Your cell phone can be used during emergencies and for notifying those expecting your arrival in case there are weather delays.
• Always buckle-up. Your seat belt can be the best protection against drivers who are tense and in a hurry because of weather conditions.
• Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights – even the hood and roof – before driving.
• Pay attention. Don’t try to out-drive the conditions. Remember the posted speed limits are for dry pavement.
• Leave plenty of room for stopping.
• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay back a safe stopping distance and don’t pass on the right.
• Know the current road conditions: http://511virginia.org/Default.aspx; For statewide highway information 24-hours-a-day, call the Highway Helpline at 1-800-367-ROAD or check local traffic incident information at www.loudoun.gov/traffic (www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic via your web browsing cell phone).
• Use brakes carefully. Brake early. Brake correctly. It takes more time to stop in adverse conditions.
• Watch for slippery bridges, even when the rest of the pavement is in good condition. Bridges will ice up sooner than the adjacent pavement.
• Don't use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the short touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control feature can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Don't get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle. Remember that your four-wheel drive vehicle may help you get going quicker than other vehicles but it won’t help you stop any faster. Many 4x4 vehicles are heavier than passenger vehicles and actually may take longer to stop. Don’t get overconfident in your 4x4 vehicle’s traction. Your 4x4 can lose traction as quickly as a two-wheel drive vehicle.
• Do not pump anti-lock brakes. If your car is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump brakes in attempting to stop. The right way is to “stomp and steer!”
• Look farther ahead in traffic than you normally do. Actions by cars and trucks will alert you quicker to problems and give you a split-second extra time to react safely.
• Remember that trucks are heavier than cars. Trucks take longer to safely respond and come to a complete stop, so avoid cutting quickly in front of them.
• Go slow!

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VDOT Advises Caution for Possible Icy Monday Morning Commute

The Virginia Department of Transportation asks that motorists be alert to possible icy patches in Northern Virginia tomorrow (Monday) morning, as wet pavement from weekend rain will couple with freezing temperatures tonight. Use extra caution on bridges, overpasses, curves, hills and areas prone to freezing.

About 300 VDOT trucks reported to work at 6 p.m. tonight to treat these trouble spots. Crews will monitor road conditions overnight and apply salt to help prevent ice from forming.

For more information on snow removal, visit www.virginiadot.org/snow or www.virginiadot.org/about/resources/Nova_Snow_Fact_Sheet_2010-11.pdf. For the latest road conditions, traffic camera video and real-time weather and incidents information, visit www.511virginia.org.

Winter driving tips:

• Ensure that your vehicle is winter-ready.
• Keep a five-second distance or more behind other vehicles. Do no pass trucks applying chemicals unless absolutely necessary.
• Be aware of areas prone to freezing such as ramps and bridges.
• When driving on ice, do not slam on brakes. Turn gently and slowly.
• Keep an emergency winter kit in your car.
• Always wear your seatbelt.

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Winter Driving Tips

Winter driving conditions can be quite dangerous, which means if you need to be outside, you should prepare yourself and your vehicle wisely. Remember that in winter weather, stopping is often the hard part, and it's the tires that do the stopping. So take proper care of them. They are a critical part of the three-member team -- your car, your tires, and you -- that can get you through the winter safely.

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, make sure your tires are rated as all-season tires, which means they have a tread designed to give you better traction in the wet and in the snow.

Keep your tires properly inflated. As the temperature outside drops the air inside a tire contracts and the pressure drops - one or two pounds for every ten- degree drop. Contrary to common belief, underinflation does not give tires better traction in the snow. It only makes them more vulnerable to damage.

Remember that no matter what kind of vehicle you drive, you still are driving on only four tires, just like everyone else. Four-wheel drive may help you go better in the snow, but it won't help you stop better, or keep you from skidding. Don't let your four-by-four make you overconfident!

Finally, let your tires do the job they are designed for. They can keep you out of trouble if you use them correctly:

• Avoid sudden movements of the car. Accelerate gently. Turn gradually. Easy on the brakes when stopping. Those are ways to let the tread on your tires maintain good traction. Spinning or sliding tire means your vehicle is out of control.
• If you do go into a skid, and your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brakes and turn in the direction of the skid. Don't pump the brakes.
• If you get stuck in the snow, spinning your tires too fast can overheat them to the point where they will explode and cause injury. Rocking your vehicle gently back and forth is the correct way to get out of a problem. If your vehicle has ABS brakes, follow the instructions in the owner's manual.

Visit the RMA website for more information.

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New State Police Video for the Holiday Season

During the final month of 2010, Virginia State Police are urging drivers to make sure they hear the ringing of holiday bells instead of the jingling of handcuffs.

To remind motorists once again about making responsible choices while driving, the Virginia State Police have a new video. The public safety message reminds drivers to avoid drunk driving, wear seatbelts and "move over" for emergency workers on the side of the road.



The holidays are particularly deadly due to the high number of drunk drivers on the roads. Impaired driving leads to too many tragic consequences. In 2009, 316 people were killed and another 6,256 persons were injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes across Virginia.

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Wolf Wants Independent Auditing Group for Dulles Metrorail Construction

Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Frank R. Wolf, 10th District of Virginia, urged the creation of an independent auditing group to monitor the construction of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project as a way to avoid cost overruns and protect the public's investment in the project.

In a letter to Charles Snelling, chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Board of Directors, Wolf asked MWAA to appoint a group of independent auditors -- serving a similar function as an "inspector general" -- that would report to the board and others on a quarterly basis.

"I believe an outside auditing group would identify and prevent waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement and give area residents who have a financial stake in Dulles rail the confidence that MWAA is making wise decisions to protect the interests of commuters.

" Because the success of Dulles rail is important to the success of the Dulles corridor and northern Virginia, I believe an independent auditing group is necessary to provide both MWAA and the public important information on the most significant and largest mass transit project being undertaken by the region’s economic engine."

In an e-mail to constituents, Wolf added that as chairman of the House transportation spending panel, he had seen projects such as Boston's "Big Dig" accumulate significant cost overruns. "I do not want the Dulles rail project to become Virginia's version of the 'Big Dig.'"

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A Reader Inquires About a Belmont Ridge Road Intersection

Here's an e-mail Loudoun County Traffic received from a concerned Loudoun County commuter.

I was seconds away from a head on collision on Belmont Ridge heading South towards Evergreen in front of the new Van Metre home area. WHEN is this going to be fixed? I have personally witnessed 4 accidents here. I had my 1 year old baby in the car with me today. The road is super confusing! It has been sitting without anyone working on it since before Thanksgiving.

Can someone please give me an update? I live in Parkside and am fear for our lives every time I turn out of my subdivision. I have 3 small children which makes it that much more terrifying.

We have asked our contacts at VDOT to reply directly to our reader with details. And we'll let you know if we hear anything as well.

Have you had any trouble with the intersection? If so, let us know. We'll forward as many complaints as we get on to officials with the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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Pledge to Telework During National Telework Week

Pledge now to try telework during national Telework Week, held February 14-18, 2011.

By pledging to telework for one day during Telework Week, sponsored by Telework Exchange and Cisco, you will save money, reduce congestion and help lower greenhouse gas emissions.

To find out how many individuals and businesses have pledged and to see estimated benefits, visit the Telework Exchange website.

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Car Care Tips to Make Winter Driving Safe

From CarJunky.com comes a good article with winter driving safety tips, just in time as we get ready for the cold weather.

Among the tips:

• Test Your Car Battery
• Restore Headlights
• Check Wiper Blades
• Prepare a Winter Road Kit

Read the full article for all the details.

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DUI Driver Tells Her Story

Here's a video everyone should watch as we enter the holiday party season... a woman tells her DUI story to young drivers in Blacksburg and to CBS-TV6. Using the Virginia State Police DUI simulator and Drunk Buster goggles, Trooper Allen Mann lets the students visually see the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.



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Shreve Mill Road Closed at Sycolin Road

The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office reports that Shreve Mill Road is closed at Sycolin Road due to high water.   
 
For real-time traffic incident information in Loudoun County, you can visit www.loudoun.gov/traffic or www.loudoun.gov/mobiletraffic via your Web browsing cell phone.

Video: MADD Holiday Campaign 2010

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Virginia kicked off it's 2010 holiday campaign "Tie One On for Safety." Drivers are asked to pledge to drive sober. MADD urges motorists to tie a MADD red ribbon to a visible location on their vehicle as a pledge and a reminder to others to do the same.

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Belmont Ridge Road Public Hearing Tonight at 6 p.m.

A public hearing on Belmont Ridge Road will be held tonight, Wednesday, December 1, from 6–8 p.m. at 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg.

The Planning Commission will hold its public hearing for the Belmont Ridge Road CPAM.

Read the Planning Department report for more details.

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