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VDOT advices to be careful traveling over July 4 weekend.

RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will help ease Fourth of July holiday weekend travel by opening lanes temporarily closed for construction or maintenance work on major roadways. The lanes will be open from noon Friday, July 3, until noon Monday, July 6. Long-term construction zones with concrete barriers and orange barrels will remain in place.

In Northern Virginia, VDOT will suspend all lane closures on interstates and heavily traveled primary routes beginning noon Thursday, July 2, through noon Monday, July 6.

Motorists can do their part to prevent accidents and fatalities by:

· Buckling up

· Driving alcohol and drug free

· Obeying speed limits

· Sharing the road

· Paying attention in work zones

· Avoiding distractions

To further prevent distracted driving, the General Assembly passed a law that will take effect July 1 making it illegal to drive while texting or e-mailing. Exceptions include emergency vehicle operators, drivers reporting an emergency or a driver who is parked. Texting while driving is a secondary offense, meaning a law-enforcement officer must have another reason to stop or arrest the driver. The fine is $20 for the first offense and $50 for the second.

The Troutville rest stop on I-81 south in Botetourt County will remain open through July 4. The rest stop is one of 19 VDOT is closing due to budgetary shortfalls.

TRAVELER RESOURCES
These resources are available to make travel safer and easier:

· Drivers can call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org for real-time traffic information, including construction lane closures and incident delays and alternatives that make their travel faster and easier.