Traffic accident & incident reports

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - UPDATE 5:30 P.M. -- TRAFFIC ACCIDENT & INCIDENT REPORTS:

Virginia State Police has responded to hundreds of accidents across the region. Between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. on December 16, 307 total accidents have been reported; 32 of them with injuries. All told, State Police Sergeant Michelle Anaya says they received 721 calls for service, which included disabled vehicles and property damage-only accidents.

Troopers have been working nonstop to respond to motor vehicle crashes and disabled vehicles throughout the state. State Police continue to work closely with VDOT, as well as local governments to coordinate traffic response and the clearing of roadways.

Two troopers were hit responding to accidents, Anaya said, but they were not injured. Sgt. Anaya says motorists need to slow down and move over.

With the increase presence of service equipment vehicles on the interstates and highways, motorists are reminded to be ALERT to these vehicles and extend the same courtesy provided to emergency personnel. For the safety of those workers and their vehicles, please MOVE OVER and/or SLOW down when passing wreckers, VDOT, and other service vehicles working alongside the road.

When passing emergency service responder vehicles and personnel, state law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or when unable to, slow down and cautiously pass such personnel stopped on the side of the road.

If you have an emergency and are stuck in traffic, call State Police by dialing #77 on a cellular phone. Motorists are asked NOT to call 911 or #77 to get road conditions. For road conditions, please call 511 on a cellular phone or go to www.511virginia.org.

Police are asking the public to stay off the road if possible. If you must drive, SLOW down and drive below the posted speed limit in hazardous conditions. Allow yourself plenty of breaking distance between you and the car in front of you.

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NOON UPDATE:

As snow blankets the area, roads are becoming extremely dangerous. One person has already been reported dead due to an accident on Route 17 at the Virginia/North Carolina Border.

According to police, at around 11:15 a.m., a two vehicle accident occurred at mile post one on Route 17 northbound. When officers arrived on scene they confirmed one of the victims dead.

No other information has been released. Look for the latest on air and online.

In the meantime, if you don't have to go out -- don't. Road conditions are increasing becoming more dangerous.