VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD – Traffic incident management is a coordinated team effort of local, state, federal, and private partners, working around the clock to meet the goal of quick incident clearance and keeping Virginia moving.

Leading off Crash Responder Safety Week (formerly National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week) Nov 14-18, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host “Highway Heroes,” a touch-a-truck event to allow the public to see, hear and touch the vehicles and systems essential for responding to crashes on Virginia roads.

When: Saturday, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds at 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, Va.

Admission: Free

An outdoor touch-a-truck exhibit will feature a simulated crash scene to help the public see an incident from the perspective of first responders who work in the roadway every day. Attendees can watch live demonstrations of K-9 and motorcycle skills, patient extrication, towing recovery, and firefighters rappelling from an aerial ladder. Air medical providers and three helicopters will showcase rescue methods.

Outdoor exhibits

VDOT

Carson Volunteer Fire Department

Central Virginia All-Hazards Incident Management Team

Chesterfield County Police

Chesterfield County Fire & EMS

Chesterfield County Fire Marshal & K9

Chippenham Hospital

DRIVE SMART Virginia

Eagle Towing

Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad

Fred’s Towing & Transport

Hanover County Fire & EMS

Henrico County Division of Fire

Johnny’s Auto and Truck

LifeEvac

Melanie Clark, widow of Hanover Firefighter Brad Clark

Nottoway County Fire & EMS

Old Dominion Historical Fire Society, Inc.

Prince George County Fire & Rescue

Prince George County Police

Regional Technical Rescue Team

South Hill Volunteer Fire Department

Southside Virginia Emergency Crew

Virginia State Police

W.S. Campbell Towing & Recovery

Live Demonstrations

10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. extrication demonstrations will occur with an introduction by distracted driving prevention advocate, Melanie Clark. Melanie lost her husband, Hanover County Firefighter Brad Clark, in 2018 when a tractor-trailer crashed into his fire truck during Tropical Storm Michael.

Parking will be available across the street from the fairgrounds at Lloyd C. Bird High School. Guest entry will be available at Gate 2, near the intersection of Courthouse Road and Krause Road.

Crash stats

Work zone incidents occur when motorists crash into closed areas where people are working on the sides of Virginia’s roads, including those participating in Highway Heroes – VDOT employees, law enforcement, first responders and tow truck operators. In 2021 there were 4,854 work zone-related crashes in Virginia, 1,861 injuries and 28 fatalities, according to Virginia DMV. So far in 2022, there were 3,719 work zone crashes in the Commonwealth, 1,339 injuries and 17 deaths.

Follow VDOT Richmond on Twitter: @VaDOTRVA.

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