Operation CARE
Thanksgiving traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday travel season.
For many Virginians, this means hitting the roads, and in some cases, travelling long distances to share time with loved ones.
Virginia State Police will once again be participating in Operation C.A.R.E â Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort.
This means state troopers will be increasing their presence and enforcement efforts during the weekends.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Click It or Ticket Campaign begins
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and local law enforcement are teaming up for the annual “Click It or Ticket” Campaign November 19-30.
So far this year, fatalities among drivers and passengers who were not wearing a seatbelt are down 12% from last year.
Of the fatalities, 73% were male and 20% in their 20s.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the chances of a fatal crash by 55%.
DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey said, âThe good news is that fewer people who werenât wearing a seatbelt were killed in crashes so far this year, but we canât become complacent.”
The DMV provided a few refreshers to help make sure you start your holiday journey safely.
Those include making sure any children are buckled securely and in the correct safety seat, making sure the seat belt clicks and is tight across your hips and chest, as well as keeping your seatbelt on the whole trip, every time.
No matter how close you are to home.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
SCSO offers property checks for the holidays
The Shenandoah County Sheriffâs Office announced that they are offering property checks for citizens who may be traveling out of town for the holidays.
If you wish to have your property, periodically checked you need to fill out a request form either by coming to the Sheriffâs Office or by calling.
Call the Sheriff’s Office at 540-459-6100 or drop by their Offices at 810 N. Main St. Woodstock Virginia.
Once the form is filled out by the homeowner or caretaker you will be added to the Sheriffâs Office property check lists.
Property checks will continue for a maximum of 30 days unless specified otherwise.
Property Checks are done on businesses and churches after hours without a request.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Holiday travel is upon us please drive with caution
According to a social media post at Fred Co Roads/Traffic from the Frederick County Sheriff ‘s Office more than 10 crashes occurred in less than three hours last night Dec. 22.
Caution is advised from all law enforcement across the state as the holiday traffic is only going to increase.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) is predicting 109 million Americans will be on the roads this holiday.
This number of travelers is the most since before the pandemic began with congestion and delays likely.
The heaviest traffic will start today Dec. 23 lasting through Jan. 2 with the least traveled day likely to be Christmas day Dec. 25 according to AAA.
Along with the increase in traffic there will be an increase in law enforcement across the state as well.
Caution is needed throughout the period along with being alert with your full attention behind the wheel is vital this holiday season.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
AAA predicts back to pre-pandemic travel numbers this holiday
The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts 109 million people will be traveling this holiday 100 million of those on the highways.
Many Americans are anxious to get back with family and will likely do that by traveling by automobile where they can control their own environment and not have to wear mask.
With that AAA is expecting a return to 2019 amounts of people on the road.
AAA is urging patience as a key to this holiday travel as backups are going to be likely with the volume of vehicles.
AAA does not expect the omicron variant or high gas prices to keep people home this year.
Suggestions to avoid high volume and congestion from AAA include leaving early in the morning or late at night to start on this year’s journey.
Above all we ask that you be cautious, careful and alert this travel season.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT suspends lane closures and road work for the holidays
| An email from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced the suspension of lane closures and road work through the holidays. All work zones will be lift and lane closures will be suspended from Thur. Dec. 23 through Mon. Dec. 27. You can expect the same for those previous listed lanes from noon Thur. Dec. 30 through Mon. Jan. 3. Where most lane closures will be suspended there may still be some that need to remain closed for complete information available at VDOT’s website. HOV and tolls on Rt. 66 will be lifted Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 as well. HOV restrictions and express lane tolls will also be lifted on Interstate 64, 264 and 564 on Thur. Dec. 23 until noon on Mon. 27. Expect the same on those previous listed lanes at noon Thur. Dec. 30 through Mon. Jan. 3 as well. The Rt. 64 express lanes in Norfolk may be used at no cost to motorists outside of normal operating hours as well. Up to the minute travel information for the state of Virginia is available at 511virginia.org. Up to the minute travel information for the state of West Virginia is available at wv511.org. For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. |
VDOT opens roads for the Independence Day Weekend
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will open roads for the July 4 holiday.
VDOT will lift both lane closures on the Interstates and other major roads through the holiday weekend.
The work stoppage and road openings will be from noon Friday through noon Tuesday July 6.
All HOV restrictions on I 66 along with tolls on the 66 Express Lanes inside the Beltway will be lifted as well.
The I 64 Express Lanes in Norfolk will be lifted on Monday July 5 as well.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Rt. 11 railroad repairs have begun in Winchester
Closure of Valley Pike Route 11 South started today Jun. 28 and will continue through Wednesday possibly until Thursday.
The railroad repair work will happen between Apple Valley and Hood Way.
Railroad work will make Route 11 impassable while work is being done.
If you normally head north toward Winchester on Route 37 interchange.
It is recommended that you take Route 37 to Cedar Creek Grade then head back south on Valley Pike Route 11 if your destination is before Apple Valley.
Those coming out of Winchester headed South toward Route 37.
It is recommended you take Cedar Creek Grade to Route 37 to the Kernstown Exit.
Detour signs are in place you are reminded to plan accordingly and add time to your commute.
Route 11 will be closed at the railroad crossing and will be impassable through period.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.