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If you've never driven on I-81, it can be a nightmare for automobile drivers. 18-wheelers pretty much "own" the road, and there are a select few that don't take kindly to "4-wheelers".

Here's some advice for I-81 drivers in Virginia:

Source: 5 Crucial Safety Tips for Driving on I-81 in Virginia
Be Patient and Cautious Around Tractor Trailers
I-81 is a major thoroughfare for trucks carrying products from the northeastern United States to states in the south and west. As a result, between 19% and 40% of all vehicles that travel I-81 are trucks. However, the interstate was originally designed to accommodate only 15% truck traffic. The high number of tractor trailers traveling I-81 poses a unique danger to passenger cars. Tractor trailers are much heavier than passenger cars. Therefore, they cannot accomplish tasks like braking, turning, or switching lanes as quickly as you can. Here are some facts to keep in mind when you are sharing the road with tractor trailers.

The average passenger car weighs around 5,000 lbs. An 18-wheel tractor trailer can weigh up to 40 tons (80,000 lbs).
Due to the difference in weight, a tractor trailer needs about 40% more time to stop than the average passenger car.
A car traveling at 55 mph needs about 225 feet to come to a complete stop. A semi-truck needs 335 feet.
The best things you can do to ensure your safety when traveling near tractor trailers are to remain patient and maintain a large distance between your car and tractor trailers.
Follow these Safety Tips Around Tractor Trailers and Semi-Trucks
VDOT reports that 35% of all I-81 accidents are tractor trailer accidents. To avoid becoming part of this statistic, be sure to follow these basic safety tips when traveling near tractor trailers on I-81 in Southwest Virginia.

Trucks and tractor-trailers have large blind spots called “no zones.” Be aware that if you cannot see a truck driver in his outside mirrors, than he probably can’t see your vehicle.
Use low-beam headlights when following large trucks at night.
When being passed by a tractor-trailer, slow down to avoid any water, dirt, or stones that may spray from its tires and reduce your visibility.
When switching lanes in front of a tractor trailer, turn your blinker on and leave it on for several seconds before actually switching lanes. This will allow the truck driver time to realize your intentions and begin to slow if necessary.

I drive a semi over this exact stretch of I-81 daily and was stuck in the traffic caused by this accident referenced by the author. My observation is that Marylanders DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MERGE!! I slow down to 50mph in this area because of all the stupid people.

OMG!! When merging, they slow down to a crawl and try to pick a hole to slide into. Some are even dumb enough to stop!! They NEVER try to match their speed to the traffic when they merge.

And I’m just talking about the ones that are paying attention. I see many not even bothering to pay attention when they merge. They are talking on the phone, texting, bs’ing with passengers, etc. Anything but trying to avoid an accident.

This area of I-81 does need to be widened. But if people would actually DRIVE, many of these accidents could be avoided.