Bristol District Newsletter - September/October 2023

Roundabouts planned,
roundabout opens
VDOT, in partnership with Food City
and its new store in Clintwood,
opened a second roundabout within
the Wise Residency this fall.
The first roundabout in the district is
located on Route 610 at Union High
School and opened to traffic in
August 2017.
More roundabouts for the district are
in the preliminary engineering phase.
Safety Spotlight: Oh Deer! Reduce the risk of
car vs. deer crashes
What should you do to beer prepare yourself and
reduce the risk of a car vs. deer crash?
Buckle up. More than half of fatalies from animal
strikes happen aer the collision because drivers
aren’t wearing a seatbelt.
Slow down. Always drive the speed limit so you have
enough me to scan the road for wildlife and react if
an animal crosses your path.
Three roundabout public hearings
were also held in recent months:
Route 83 at the intersecon of Route
637 in Dickenson County, the
Thompson Drive roundabout at
Stanley Street in Abingdon and the
Route 11/660 roundabout in Smyth
County.
Drivers should yield, look le, then
proceed into the roundabout if it is
clear, then exit at your intended
desnaon. All approaching vehicles
must yield to traffic already in the
circle.
New roundabout on Route 83 at new
Food City.
Don’t tailgate. Following other vehicles too closely
reduces your field of vision and shortens your
reacon me.
Know the area. Be extra cauous on roads
surrounded by farmland or trees on either side.
Remember where you’ve seen wildlife in the past.
Stay alert. Watch for the reflecon of deer eyes in
your headlights. Look for shadows near the shoulder
of the road.
Don’t swerve. If you swerve to avoid an animal, you
run the risk of colliding with something else such as a
guardrail, ulity pole or another car.
Look for “animal friends.” Deer travel in packs. If you
see one, it’s likely more will be nearby.
Know what to do if you strike an animal. Pull over to
a safe space. Turn on your flashers. Use cauon
when approaching an injured animal. Call
dispatch or 911 as needed.
Virginia D epartm ent of Transportation
BristolDistrict -Of ce of Public A ffairs
2111 Bonham Road
Bristol,VA 24201
276-669-6151
michelle.earl@VDOT.Virginia.gov
joseph.barker@ iVDOT.virginia.gov