All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

After recent wrecks, WVDOT urges public to pay attention on state highways

WVDOT is urging drivers to slow down and stay alert after five DOT vehicles were struck in one week across West Virginia.

After the fifth West Virginia Department of Transportation vehicle was struck by another vehicle in the space of a week, the WVDOT is urging drivers to pay attention on state roadways.

On Friday, Dec. 12, a WVDOT pilot truck was rear-ended on WV 22 in Brooke County. On Monday, Dec. 15, a snowplow was rear-ended on Interstate 79 near Goshen Road.

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, a plow truck treating WV 26 was hit on the truck bed in Doddridge County. On Thursday, Dec. 18, a pickup truck was hit head-on in a work zone in Mingo County.

On Friday, Dec. 19, a truck sideswiped a WVDOH tree clearing truck on Goosepen Road in Lewis County. The truck didn’t stop.

All crashes were attributed to driver error on the part of civilian motorists.

“Why is it so difficult to pay attention when behind the wheel?” said Transportation Secretary Stephen T. Rumbaugh, P.E. “Distracted driving is completely and totally preventable. Get off your phone. Slow down. Pay attention.”

With work continuing in all 55 counties across the state, the West Virginia Division of Highways and the West Virginia Department of Transportation remind the public of the importance of keeping everyone safe in work zones. “Respect the zone; let’s all go home!”

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