Snow Pics from VDOT... Can You Imagine Having to Shovel That!

Just in case you forgot what the snow storms this month were like...

VDOT was kind enough to provide Loudoun County Traffic a couple of pictures from the Route 15 area so that Loudoun County residents who don't frequent that part of the county could see some of the tremendous amounts of snow that commuters in the area had to deal with earlier this month.

Thanks VDOT for sharing these photos! And here's hoping we don't have to go through anything like that again!!

  For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Loudoun Public Safety Officials Offer Winter Weather Safety Tips

As we get ready for a possible foot to two-feet of snow coming our way tomorrow and Saturday, the Loudoun County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office offer winter weather safety tips that will help keep you safe during a winter storm. Among the tips:

• Avoid driving in the snow.
• If you must travel in the bad weather, do so during daylight and drive slowly. Use main roads and inform someone of your route of travel.

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, which causes travel difficulties including slippery roads and limited visibility. Loudoun Sheriff Steve Simpson is advising motorists to make sure their vehicles are equipped with a well-stocked winter driving kit. Simpson also reminds motorists to stay safe in the winter by also following these tips:

• Always keep the gas tank as full as possible. 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!

  For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Snow... and What It Means for our Roadways and Driving

VDOT, the Virginia Department of Transportation has crews out already this afternoon in anticipation of the 2-6 inches of snow we're likely to get overnight.

Here are a few winter weather driving tips if you do have to go out this evening or early in the morning.

• Keep your car's windows, mirrors and lights clear of snow and ice.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Leave a few minutes early.
• Start out slowly in the lowest gear recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.
• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as shady spots and bridges.
• Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road.
• Don't pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles.
• Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car.
• Drive smart!

Meanwhile, VDOT has several winter related videos on the VDOT YouTube channel, including this one on how to park in preparing for a snow storm so that crews can quickly and safely clear Loudoun County roads.

More informaiton is online at VDOT. Get current road conditions and driving conditions.

  For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Information About VDOT and Clearing Snow

Here's an interesting read that Loudoun County Traffic found on the "In the News" community blog for the Raspberry Falls Homeowners Association. The post deals with a request from Loudoun County Dulles District Supervisor Stevens Miller to VDOT to clarify road clearing procedures (where and when); the post is a recap of the questions and the VDOT response.

Among the questions:

• What is VDOT's policy governing which roads are plowed and when?
• Why are some side streets and other secondary roads plowed while others nearby are not?
• Whom should a resident contact if their street has been made impassable by the results of plowing a cross street?

Read the complete post on the Raspberry Falls HOA Web site. And here's hoping this weekend's predicted snow is nothing compared to the "December to Remember" snowfall!

  For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Stay Home and Off the Roads

Loudoun County officials continue to ask residents to stay home and off the roads because of extremely treacherous travel conditions.

Earlier today, Virginia State Police closed several ramps due to icy conditions, including:

• Westbound I-495 to southbound I-95
• Northbound I-95 to northbound I-495
• Franconia Road (Route 644) to southbound I-95

And the following roads were blocked due to snow-related incidents:

• Southbound I-495 at Braddock Road
• Northbound I-95 south of Lorton
• Northbound I-95 south of Quantico

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Loudoun Emergency Management Officials Ask Residents to Stay Off Roadways

Loudoun County Emergency Management officials remind residents that while this weekend's snow is pretty, you are encouraged to stay home.

Avoid driving and other travel until conditions have improved. Most of the roadways are still impassable and blocked by snow. Residents should stay home and off the roads so that the snow removal crews can do their job plowing the roadways.

In addition, listen to the television, or if the power goes out, a battery-powered radio for updates on the weather and other storm-related information.

Remember, if it's not an emergency and you don't have to drive, don't! Stay home and stay safe!!

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Asks for Help in Clearing Sidewalks

It's not necessarily about traffic or transit, but many Loudoun County commuters have kids in school, live near a school or know someone who does. So we thought we'd pass this info along from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, which is asking for assistance from county residents who live in designated school walking areas to clear their sidewalks of ice and snow.

Although warmer weather is in the forecast for this weekend, many of the sidewalks surrounding county schools remain covered in ice and snow. Clearing sidewalks can ensure the safety of school children who walk to school as well as Sheriff’s Office Crossing Guards.

Loudoun County Code 1022.01 requires residents under certain circumstances must remove snow from sidewalks. The code states every occupant, owner or other person in charge of property in the County which has a sidewalk, or a footway of stone, brick, gravel, cinder, wood, or other substance, when such a walk is publicly owned or maintained, and is adjoining and touching the property in front, rear, or either side thereof, shall have all snow and ice, or a combination thereof removed from such sidewalk or footway.

Of course our solution to the problem of snow and ice is to just not have anymore. All in favor!?

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic via your favorite RSS reader, or get Loudoun County Traffic by e-mail.

No School Today

Loudoun County Public Schools will be closed today, Friday, February 22, because of inclement weather. Administrative offices, however, are open on time.

Without school and the school buses, area roadways will be less traveled than normal this morning. If you don't have to go to work or can perhaps delay your arrival, you're encouraged to do so. If you do have to go in, please drive carefully and remember these safety tips:

• Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles.
• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as shady spots and bridges.
• When driving on ice, don't slam on your brakes. Travel gently. Turn slowly. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control.

And remember, for weather for where you live, work and play, visit Loudoun County Weather.

For the latest Loudoun County traffic news and information, subscribe to Loudoun County Traffic