If you’ve taken a look at my bio page, you know that I am a Hokie. And as a Hokie, I love to watch college football as often as I can. Like everyone, I hope that my team walks away with a “win”.
But looking toward tomorrow’s game lineup in Virginia, I’m hoping that all drivers on I-81 and I-64 make it to and from their destinations safely. Why am I so concerned about tomorrow? Because, tomorrow, James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA, the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA and of course Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia all have HOME football games.
Yes, you read that right. Four major Virginia Universities, two of which are in ACC, will be competing in their home stadiums tomorrow, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The football stadiums for those universities have a total seating capacity of over 161,000 seats.
Virginia residents are well aware of what this means for drivers on I-81 and on I-64. Those highways will already be overcrowded with Thanksgiving traffic and tractor trailers. If you have to be on I-81 or I-64, review these safety tips for driving on congested roadways.
- Avoid repeated lane changes. Approximately 4% of accidents are caused by improper lane changes. Lane change accidents, particularly those that occur at a high rate of speed often cause serious injury and/or death as well as property damage. When changing lanes be sure to use your turn signal, check your rearview and side mirrors, check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder, and when it is clear, merge into the lane. Be sure to turn off your turn signal when the action is complete.
- Maintain a safe speed. In Virginia, the posted speed limit applies and I expect Virginia State Troopers to be patrolling the interstates tomorrow. And remember anything over 80 mph warrants a reckless driving charge.
- Designate a driver. For many, attending a college football game is a time of gathering, reunion, great food and drinking alcohol. My wife likes to call this behavior as “pre-gaming” and maintains that is why college football is so popular. Even when drinking occurs during the day, it is still dangerous to mix alcohol and driving. Carpool and designate a driver for the group. Not only will it save money in parking fees, gas, possible DUI fines and increased insurance premiums, it may also save lives.
- Save the tailgating for the football game. I feel like this one is obvious, but don’t tailgate ANY vehicle on the interstate, especially a tractor trailer. If you tailgate any vehicle, you are taking a risk that if the vehicle in front of you comes to an abrupt stop, you may not have enough time to stop and will end up in a rear-end collision. This scenario is especially hazardous when tailgating a tractor trailer. Many trailers are not equipped with underride prevention guards and a passenger vehicle may be low enough to go under the trailer. These type accidents are extremely dangerous and usually result in death by way of decapitation.
- Stop rubbernecking. Rubbernecking is the act of slowing your vehicle down to look at a disabled vehicle or another vehicle crash while driving. Rubbernecking causes traffic to back up on both sides of the highway and makes everybody crazy. Don’t do it. Keep your eyes on the road.
- Save your yelling for the game, too! Aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, following too closely, not obeying traffic laws, performing brake checks and weaving in and out of lanes. These behaviors endanger the lives of people in the cars around you as well as your own.
- Adjust your driving behaviors to road conditions. Local news outlets are reporting that smoke from the Matts Creek Fire is visible across I-81 in Rockbridge County near VMI. And if traveling to Charlottesville, VA, please be aware that a fire on Afton Mountain is causing poor visibility on I-64.
The sheer volume of traffic expected this weekend will be enough to consider these roads hazardous. My advice, allow extra time and plan alternate routes if possible.
I’m looking forward to a day of fellowship, football and fun. I’m hopeful that no one is injured or killed on Virginia’s interstate highways. But if you find yourself injured in a vehicle accident that was not your fault and you need help, I am just a phone call away. As always, I offer FREE consultations to victims of personal injury. Check out my results here and call today 1-540-777-4900
