Our Community in Fairfax County, Virginia

Before you get behind the wheel, know the road conditions and weather forecast.  For road conditions in Northern Virginia, call 703-383-VDOT (8368).  For statewide highway information call the Highway Helpline at 800-367-ROAD.  TTY users 800-432-1843.

• Restrict travel until road crews have had a chance to clear the roads.
• Keep vehicle windows, mirrors, roofs and lights clear of snow and ice.
• Wear your seat belt! 
• Allow extra travel time.
• Know the road surface.  Black ice is invisible and could be present.
• Be alert to potentially icy areas like shady spots and bridges.
• Keep a safe distance of at least 5 car lengths behind other vehicles.
• Stay behind the snowplow.  The road BEHIND the snowplow is safer.
• Never cut between a caravan of snow plows.
• When snow is forecast try not to park on your subdivision street, particularly in a cul-de-sac.
• Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your vehicle.

Don't let a trip to the gas station bust your budget.  Here are some tips to help you get more mileage out of a tank of gas:

• Drive at the posted speed limit.  Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.  Observing the speed limit is also safer.
• Avoid "jack rabbit" stops and starts.  Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.  It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.  Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.
• Use air conditioning wisely.  Air conditioners are efficient on the highway but can increase your fuel consumption by up to 12 percent in stop-and-go traffic.  If practical, open a window or use the air vents to circulate air instead of turning on the air conditioner.
• Don't let your car idle for extended periods.  Turn it off, and then restart the car.
• Use Cruise Control.  Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
• Lighten your load.  Don't store unneeded items in the trunk.  Every 100 pounds of extra weight reduces a typical vehicle's fuel by 1 to 2 percent.
• Choose the right octane gas for your car.  Most cars run just fine on regular octane, even if the owner's manual recommends a higher, more expensive octane.
• Keep your car's tires properly inflated and the wheels aligned.  Proper inflation increases fuel economy by as much as 5 percent.  Check tire pressure at least once a month.
• Keep up on your vehicle's maintenance.  Spark plugs, bad brakes, and low fluid levels can worsen fuel economy.  Read your owner's manual to become familiar with your vehicle's maintenance schedule and requirements.
• Check & replace air filters regularly.  Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.  Your car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine.  Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.

Highway exits:  right or left?  Most exits from interstate highways are on the right side, but some are on the left.  Have you ever found yourself traveling on a crowded three- or four-lane highway looking for an unfamiliar exit, seeing the sign for your upcoming exit, but having to guess which side the exit is on?  Guess wrong, and you either have to quickly cross several lanes of heavy traffic, or else miss your exit and somehow turn around.  Well, guess no more.

On top of the large green highway exit signs are small green signs with the exit number.  The exit number signs usually are not as wide as the large highway signs below them.  As a result, the exit number signs are always aligned to either the right or the left side of the highway signs.

If the upcoming exit is on the left side of the road, the exit number sign will be aligned on the left side of the highway sign underneath it.  For upcoming exits on the right side of the road, the exit number sign is right-aligned.

The next time you are on the Beltway, check out the placement of the exit number signs.  On the inner loop, the exit number sign for the Dulles Toll Road is left-aligned.  The same is true on the outer loop approaching the exit for I-66 East.  Both exits are on the left.

By paying attention to the alignment of the small exit number signs, you will always know which side of the highway you need to be on for an upcoming exit.

Where do intersections begin?  Most people think that at a four-way intersection with a stop light, the square area where the roads cross is the intersection.  But did you know that the intersection also includes a short length of road approaching this square area from all four directions?

If you are on a multi-lane road like Route 50 approaching a stop light intersection, you will notice that the dashed white line separating the lanes becomes a solid white line just before the square area of the intersection.  The segment of road with the solid white line is part of the intersection.

Once the back end of your vehicle has crossed the beginning of this solid white line, you have entered the intersection.  If the light turns yellow at this instant and you are traveling at the speed limit with no obstructions in front of you, you may proceed straight through the intersection.  The light will stay yellow long enough for you to clear the intersection before it turns red.

Relatively fast roads like Route 50 will have longer solid white lines than slower roads.  The length of the solid white line is based on the speed limit of the road and the time that the light stays yellow.

The law says that if you have not entered an intersection when the light turns yellow, you must slow down and stop.  Now you know exactly where that point of no return is-when the back end of your vehicle reaches the start of the solid white line.

These rules only apply under normal driving conditions when you are driving the speed limit with no obstructions in front of you.  If you are driving slower than the speed limit because of bad road conditions or heavy traffic, you will not be able to clear the intersection in time if the light turns yellow just as you reach the solid white line.  Depending on how slow you are going, the point where you decide whether to stop or proceed on yellow is going to be closer to the square area of the intersection.

Beware of obstructions, especially the vehicle in front of you.  Chances are, the driver in front of you does not know what the solid white line means and may choose to stop suddenly on a yellow light even if their vehicle has passed the start of the solid white line.  If they do stop and you don't, wham!  And the accident will be your fault.

Proper adjustment of side view mirrors.  Are you like many drivers who have side view mirrors adjusted so that you can see the sides of your vehicle on the near edge of your mirrors?  If you are, then you also have blind spots in your mirrors.

What is the point of being able to see the sides of your vehicle, anyway?  If anyone drives their car into the side of your vehicle, you are going to know it without looking in your mirrors!

It is better to adjust your side view mirrors at least to the point where you can no longer see the sides of your vehicle, and perhaps a little further.  Be prepared for an amazing experience the next time you drive on a multi-lane road.  When a car on your side comes up from behind and passes you, look in your side view mirror.  Just as the rear of the passing car is about to disappear from your side view mirror, the front of the car will show up in your peripheral vision.  No blind spot!

Even with properly adjusted mirrors, you always need to look to one side before you change lanes.  You never know when another vehicle has changed lanes or has sped up into the space alongside your vehicle.

1. When winter-weather, strikes, SLOW DOWN.  Wet, snowy, or icy roads offer less traction and make it harder to stop and turn.  By slowing down, you give yourself more time and you make it possible for your tires to better use the available grip on the road.


2. Use extra care when driving across bridges and overpasses during the winter.  Because they are exposed to cold air and winter winds above and below, ice can form on bridges even when the roads on either side are free from ice.


3. If possible, carry a sack of sand or gravel in the trunk of your car.  If your car has rear-wheel-drive, the added weight over the drive wheels will improve traction.  In addition, the sand or gravel can be used to help get you out if you become stuck.


4. Because there is less traction available on wet, snowy, or icy surfaces, avoid sudden inputs on the steering wheel, brakes or accelerator.  Instead, make gradual movements to avoid upsetting the balance of the car.  If you feel the car begin to skid, ease off the gas, steer into the skid and look at where you want the car to go.


5. Ice and mud can build up on wheels and underneath your car.  This could cause your wheels to become unbalanced, which can upset the ride and lead to unnecessary wear on tires and suspension parts.  Check the wheels and underside of the vehicle often and wash off any mud or ice as soon as possible.


6. If you are planning a long winter trip, be sure to pack extra blankets, water and food, just in case you get stranded by the side of the road or in a snow bank.  You may also want to include a few chemical heating packs (available at camping or sporting goods stores).  If you do get stuck, stay with your vehicle until help arrives.


7. Before winter sets in, have your cooling system checked.  The radiator should contain a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze.  Contrary to popular belief, 100 percent antifreeze is not better at protecting your engine than a 50-50 mix.  At the same time you check your coolant, also have the hoses, belts, and water pump checked for wear or leaks.


8. Check your tire pressure regularly throughout the winter.  Your tires are the only part of your car that actually touches the road.  Proper inflation will ensure that your tires have maximum contact with the road.  Inflation pressure that is too high or too low can cause unnecessary tire wear and reduce the size of the tire's "footprint" or contact area with the pavement.


9. In snowy conditions, check to make sure that your car's air intake is free from a buildup of snow.  Many of today's cars draw most of the air needed for the engine and cooling system from below the radiator.  If this intake becomes clogged with snow your car could overheat, even on a cold winter day.