RICHMOND, Va. — A milder Valentine’s weekend is bringing more people onto Virginia roadways, and in Richmond, that warm-up could quietly shift driving behavior.
After weeks of winter commutes — cautious braking, cold pavement, slower merges — the first warm stretch of February often creates a subtle psychological reset. Roads look clearer. Traffic feels easier. Drivers begin accelerating sooner and following more closely without realizing it.
And this weekend, volume increases.
Traffic builds along I-95, I-64, and I-195 as couples head toward dinner reservations downtown. Congestion tightens near Broad Street and Shockoe Slip. Parking areas fill quickly around Carytown and near the Virginia State Capitol. Evening activity increases along the James River and around Belle Isle as people take advantage of the mild air before nighttime plans.
Warmer weather also brings more pedestrians into crosswalks that have been quieter during colder weeks.
It’s not snow that creates risk during a weekend like this.
It’s comfort.
When pavement appears dry and manageable, reaction times can soften. Drivers assume visibility is better. They assume braking will be smooth. They assume winter caution isn’t as necessary.
Add Valentine’s anticipation — tight schedules, emotional distraction, unfamiliar parking — and the margin for error narrows quickly.
The combination of mild temperatures and increased travel across Richmond roadways Saturday and Sunday evening can quietly elevate crash risk, even without winter conditions.
If you’re driving anywhere in the city this weekend, especially after dark, stay alert.
Because sometimes the most dangerous winter driving happens when it doesn’t feel like winter anymore.
