It’s the time of year when the roads get icy, snowy, and treacherous. Though, it’s been rather balmy in Virginia Beach during the “winter” of 2015 (knock on wood). Nevertheless, this blog is meant to provide some essential safety tips and guidelines to travelers who may be headed to see family in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, or any city in Hampton Roads. You need to be prepared since I-264, I-64, and other major roadways will likely be congested.
Universal road rules for ALL drivers:
- Obey the speed limit
- Don’t drink and drive
- Avoid texting and other distractions while operating a vehicle
Here is a video with some important winter driving safety tips:
Technology is a great thing, utilized by most everyone nowadays, from cell phones to tablets to GPS devices. The downside though, is that many people rely solely on their mobile devices to provide directions to their destination. Inclement weather, however, can mean bad cell signals and loss cell phone use. For this reason, it is important to map your route in advance and familiarize yourself with the directions.
While traveling pay attention to your surroundings and the mile markers that are located on the side of the highway. Don’t wait until you are in the car and stressing behind the wheel or stressing as the passenger, on a busy road, to realize your device isn’t providing a signal or the directions you need.
Before embarking on a long road trip, have a professional look over your vehicle to check the lights, fluids and tires, etc. Have roadside assistance contact information on-hand.
Make sure the vehicle is equipped with emergency items including an extra blanket, cellphone charger, jumper cables, water, gloves, a flashlight and batteries. And, also a first aid kit.
Properly defrost your windshield so that you can increase visibility and see other vehicles.
If an emergency arises, such as an accident or flat tire, first and foremost get to a safe location. If possible, move to the right shoulder of the road. Do not block traffic lanes or get out of the vehicle. Emergency personnel can better assist you if they know your location which brings us back to noting landmarks and mile markers.
In closing, the takeaway message is this: pay attention to the road, limit distractions, prepare for emergencies and know your location. Stay safe!
Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
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