VT State Police Traffic Safety

Ahead of the busy summer driving season, Cpl. Ian Sawtelle joined other public safety officials from Vermont and New York to share an important message: To keep everyone safe on the roads this summer, we all have an important part to play.

Yesterday, an unsecured chair flew out of the back of a pickup truck on I-89 in South Burlington and smashed into a VSP cruiser. Luckily no one was injured. The pickup's driver was ticketed for an unsecured load. Remember: Vehicle loads must be properly secured at all times!

Ever wondered how to properly secure a load for transportation on Vermont’s roads? Here’s a great example — of what NOT to do! This shaky setup was taken out of service, and DMV was called in to conduct an inspection.

The calendar says March 2nd but we’re not out of the winter woods just yet. We might be able to cheat a little & let the sun melt the snow in our driveway, but not on our cars. When it melts in motion, it flies off. Please hang in there & keep ‘em clean. Spring is coming!

UPDATE: VSP is seeking a gray Jeep Wrangler with CT license plate AX74330 in connection with today's reported shooting in St. Johnsbury & wants to talk to the occupants. Call 911 if you see it. More info here: vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/2022/03/update…

Scary! With debris showering the cruiser, this crash is about as close as it gets to wiping out the Trooper and the family he stopped to help. As for the other car: 2 young kids in car seats were OK, but the driver, not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and suffered injury.

For more information: vtstatepolice.blogspot.com/2022/02/derby-…

NE Kingdom crash kills two 18 year-olds. The car on the left crossed the center line & hit a car carrying 2 teens on VT 105 in Charleston last night. We don’t yet know why, but multiple VSP experts are involved to find out. No one was wearing their seat belt, a tragic decision.

From roof to windshield: A “what were you thinking?” story. While driving on Rte. 15, this driver said snow fell from their roof over their windshield. It wasn’t until they were stopped by VSP many miles later that they realized the great risk they posed to themselves & others.

The snow comes and goes with the season, but DUI remains a stain on our communities throughout the year. Troopers in Georgia, VT responded to this recent high-speed suspected alcohol impaired driving crash and found a driver injured, bone cold, and lucky to be alive.

Another example of the unforgiving, snow-filled culvert. Tragically, this crash claimed the life of a passenger who was not wearing his seat belt. We're investigating to learn the whole story. Please wear your seat belt and do everything you can to stay fully in your lane.

This is the time of year that deep, snow-filled culverts can be treacherous if we drive too close to them. In this recent event on Rt 14 in Calais, the driver crossed the fog line, the load shifted, & the culvert pulled him in. No injuries this time. Big clean up that took hours.

U-turn, U must not. We hate to say "never" but come on. Please NEVER access interstate U-turns. The car (circled red) did & pulled out in front of an oncoming car (circled green). "I thought he was further than he was," she said. "I misjudged that completely." Wildly dangerous.

During today's morning commute, troopers from our Williston Barracks responded to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 89 southbound near Exit 15 in Winooski. The driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Trooper Nicole Twamley explains what happened.

Sighhhhhhh….. An interesting (and dangerous) take on “peekaboo.” This vehicle was stopped on Route 15 in Jericho. After a plethora of public education on this particular issue. The Trooper issued a ticket: $105.

We saw plenty of skiers and riders enjoying today’s snow at @BoltonValley, and @VSP_Traffic wants them — and all drivers — to keep doing their part to avoid a highway nightmare: bit.ly/3q58ycj #VT

Q: How does a sunny day w/ dry roads in winter become a pop-up blizzard? A: When a driver doesn't clear snow off their tractor trailer. Look closely, you may also spot the 2nd big rig that sheds large pieces of snow & ice onto the road. Clearing snow & ice makes everything nice.

We’ve talked recently about following distance and cleaning snow off vehicles. Here’s an example: This driver lost control after an ice chunk flew off a car and into hers. We think one not being so close AND the other cleaning off their car would have avoided this.

Happy Holidays! This #Christmas we're giving the gift of safety. When we follow the vehicle in front of us too closely, we leave ourselves no reaction time for the unexpected. Please come along as we deliver these safe driving messages. No tickets or handcuffs required.🎄🎅

Certainly, the right idea to clear the snow away from glass and lights; BUT, all of what remains can become unguided projectiles as the day goes on. Winter is back and with it comes this friendly reminder to make time to completely clean off our vehicles.