CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel as winter storm conditions continue to worsen across the state, creating extremely hazardous driving conditions.
According to WVDOT, snow, ice, and rapidly falling temperatures are expected to continue overnight and into the morning hours, increasing the risk of icy roadways and sudden changes in driving conditions.
“Motorists, avoid unnecessary travel as conditions deteriorate overnight and into the morning hours,” said Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh.
“Our crews have been out around the clock plowing and treating roads, and they will continue working through the night. But when temperatures drop as quickly as expected, road conditions can become dangerous in a matter of minutes. The safest decision is to stay off the roads.”
Forecasts indicate that temperatures will drop quickly overnight, causing moisture on roadways to freeze and creating icy and extremely dangerous conditions.
Officials say these hazards are especially pronounced on bridges, overpasses, and secondary roads.
While WVDOT crews are actively plowing and treating roadways statewide, rapidly changing conditions can make travel unsafe with little warning.
WVDOT officials say reducing traffic during severe weather allows road crews to operate more safely and efficiently as they work to clear and treat roads.
Motorists who must travel are urged to slow down, increase following distance, and give plow and treatment trucks the space they need to operate.
Staying off the roads whenever possible, WVDOT says, helps protect both the traveling public and the workers responsible for keeping West Virginia’s roadways safe.
The department will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as the storm and cleanup efforts continue.
