As Virginia digs out from this latest winter storm, Virginia State Police are already preparing for the next projected storm system.

State police had 75 percent of its uniformed workforce responding to the more than 5,000 calls for service around the Commonwealth over the weekend.

State police even extended round-the-clock shifts to ensure maximum coverage to expedite the response to the hundreds of traffic crashes and disabled vehicles.

From 12:01 a.m. Friday (Feb. 5) through 10 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 7), Virginia State Police emergency dispatchers logged at least 5,229 calls for service. Troopers statewide responded to 1,921 traffic crashes and 2,098 disabled vehicles during the three-day period. The seven State Police Emergency Communications Centers also fielded an additional 4,654 calls from the public for information.

The majority of the crashes involved damaged vehicles only. State police did investigate two fatal traffic crashes that claimed three lives during the storm. Investigating troopers determined that weather was a factor in the Wythe County crash on Interstate 81 in which a father and son were killed. Weather was determined not to be a factor in the cause of the crash on Interstate 64 in York County that claimed the life of a New Kent County man.

The following is a breakdown of calls for service by Virginia State Police division from 12:01 a.m. Friday (Feb. 5) through 10 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 7):

Division I–Richmond (Metro Richmond/Northern Neck/Tri-Cities)
Traffic Crashes=454 Disabled Vehicles=370 Total Calls for Service=1,097

Division II–Culpeper (Fredericksburg/Culpeper/Warrenton/Harrisonburg/Winchester)
Traffic Crashes=264 Disabled Vehicles=302 Total Calls for Service=665

Division III-Appomattox (Charlottesville/Waynesboro/Staunton/Lynchburg/South Boston/South Hill)
Traffic Crashes=228 Disabled Vehicles=133 Total Calls for Service=493

Division IV-Wytheville (Wytheville/Dublin/Galax/Bristol/Vansant/Wise)
Traffic Crashes=207 Disabled Vehicles=178 Total Calls for Service=502

Division V-Chesapeake (Hampton Roads/Tidewater/Eastern Shore/Williamsburg/Franklin/Emporia)
Traffic Crashes=305 Disabled Vehicles=322 Total Calls for Service=885

Division VI-Salem (Lexington/Clifton Forge/Roanoke/Blacksburg/Bedford/Martinsville/Danville)
Traffic Crashes=270 Disabled Vehicles=243 Total Calls for Service=681

Division VII-Fairfax (Prince William/Loudoun/Arlington/Alexandria/Fairfax)
Traffic Crashes=193 Disabled Vehicles=550 Total Calls for Service=906

“With yet another storm heading our way, we still warn Virginians to be wary of deteriorating weather and road conditions,” said Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “Just as we advise drivers to slow down for slick road conditions and allow for more stopping and travel distances between vehicles, we also remind motorists of the importance of buckling up and avoiding distractions.”

“Even in a ‘fender-bender,’ wearing a seat belt can prevent a driver and passenger from being seriously injured,” said Colonel Flaherty. “One also doesn’t need to be distracted by a cell phone or eating food when trying to safely navigate slick, snow-covered roads.”

The multiple storms also pose new issues for drivers:

• Expansive potholes because of the constant thawing and refreezing of pavement

• Pooling water from melting snow and blocked drains

Drivers are encouraged to stay alert for such road hazards in order to be safe and maintain proper control of their vehicle.

In addition, motorists are encouraged to thoroughly clean off vehicles before driving, especially windshields and rear windows so as to enhance one’s visibility. Clearing snow and ice off the hood and top of the vehicle prevents the snow and ice from blowing off onto other vehicles and possibly causing a crash.