Hey there, Floyd Forum readers! In national news, it’s Inauguration Day. Today former Vice President Joe Biden (one of only a handful of Presidents from Appalachia) was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
But here in my newsletter, I like to keep things hyper local. That’s why today I’m sharing a story about VDOT road treatments, which may be puncturing the tires of Floyd drivers. I made contact with Jason Bond, a representative from VDOT’s Salem office, as well as several Floyd folks who have recently dealt with tire damage.
Read on for the skinny on what might be causing these flats; how you can file a claim to be reimbursed for damage and other tips for staying safe on hazardous winter roads.
-Ashley
Stone mixture meant to help with traction can be a headache for drivers
The New River Valley has enjoyed a relatively mild winter, but Floyd County hasn’t entirely escaped the snow and ice. “Floyd County has had multiple snow or ice events this year, some with prolonged low temperatures, so VDOT did repeatedly apply stone to icy road surfaces in that county,” said VDOT spokesperson Jason Bond.
According to a popular post in a Facebook group about Floyd County road conditions, these stone treatments are wreaking havoc on locals’ tires. Several Floyd residents commented on the record about having punctured or flat tires following inclement weather.
Bond said VDOT’s road treatment procedures haven’t been changed or updated recently. So there’s no reason that more people should be experiencing damage this year compared with other years.
Prior to a forecasted storm, Bond explained, VDOT applies brine, a salt and water solution, to interstates, primary roads and high traffic volume secondary routes.
This brine treatment shouldn’t have any potential negative effect on tires. “The possible cause of the punctured tires is not applied as a pretreatment but later in the storm response,” Bond said. This is the crushed stone mixture applied to roads after a storm, when icing occurs or snow remains frozen on roads. The mixture is meant to help with traction.
Bond said VDOT does sample testing of the stone to ensure that it meets state specifications. “However, it is possible that the occasional sharp or elongated stone in the crushed mix can puncture tires, especially if the tires are older or showing signs of wear,” he explained.
Last week, though, Floyd County resident Sean Burke got a flat tire on Shawsville Pike. “I pulled a gravel out of the tire about the size of a dime,” he said. “(The) tire is 3 months old.”
Burke said he took the tire to Christiansburg to have it patched—a $20 fix.
Although Bond said older tires are more likely to be punctured by gravel from VDOT’s stone mixture, Burke wasn’t alone with an experience that defied that claim.
After driving to work in Floyd last Saturday, Ashley Vest noticed her tire appeared to be losing air, she said. She removed from her tire “a rock/cement piece … that was almost the size of a nickel,” she said. “It split my tread apart and punctured my tire. My car has new tires—it just came from the dealership in September.”
Like Burke, Vest applied a plug to repair the tire.
Driving on a punctured tire can be dangerous, as the tire flattening can cause the car to pull to one side. If the tire blows out, the driver may lose complete control of the car.
Of course, potential tire punctures from treatments on icy roads are only a secondary hazard. Snow and ice itself can be dangerous, too.
Bond shared several winter weather driving tips that can help Virginia drivers stay safe this season. Among them:
Keep your car’s windows, mirrors, and lights clear of snow and ice
Wear your seatbelt
Leave a few minutes early
Start out slowly in the lowest gear recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer
Be aware of potentially icy areas, including shady spots and under bridges
Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles
Bond also shared that studded snow tires are permitted in Virginia, but only between Oct. 15 and April 15 each year.
Bond had one last piece of helpful information to share. “If a tire is punctured by a sharp stone, citizens can file a claim,” he said. If you’ve experienced tire damage you think is attributable to VDOT’s road treatments, you can file a tort claim online.