State Highway Administration Gearing Up for Another Winter Storm Saturday

From the Maryland State Highway Administration:

Motorists Urged to Delay Travel if Possible Until Roads have been Cleared

Across the State, Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) crews are preparing for another round of winter weather this weekend as forecasters call for snow starting after midnight tonight, with several inches of accumulation possible Saturday in parts of the State. Today in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Baltimore, Harford and Cecil counties, crews pre-treated State roads with salt brine, a liquid solution that functions as an anti-icer. Drivers have loaded their trucks with salt and filled their tanks with gasoline.

“Even a couple of inches of snow can wreak havoc on driving conditions,” cautioned SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters, “so if you’re planning to drive on Saturday, reconsider whether travel is necessary and stay off the roads until later in the day, if possible, to allow crews time to clear the roads. If you must travel, allow extra time, take it slow, and remember: Never pass a snow plow or snow plow train. The safest place to be is behind the plows, which are clearing the roads ahead.”

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus Brown warned all motorists not to travel if at all possible during storms especially, tractor trailers, buses, and other large vehicles. “Weather conditions cause hazardous highways and a jackknifed tractor trailer or bus stuck in the snow only hinders our road crews and police officers in their efforts to clear the highway and get the roads open again. I urge commercial vehicle drivers to find a safe location to wait out the storm and continue on only when it is safe to do so.”

According to the National Weather Service precipitation is expected to fall between 3 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday for an area that includes Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick, Carroll, northern Baltimore, Harford and Cecil counties.

If your vehicle does become disabled, make every effort to move it from the travel lane and onto the shoulder. Stay tuned to radio traffic reports for the most up-to-date information.

Motorists should always have an emergency survival kit to include:

• a shovel
• jumper cables
• snacks
• blanket or sleeping bag
• flashlight with extra batteries
• high calorie non-perishable food
• first aid kit
• extra clothes
• bottled water
• a charged cell phone
• kitty litter or other abrasives

Remember to buckle up and “Take It Slow on Ice and Snow.” Before leaving home, log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and click the CHART icon for the latest road conditions, live traffic cameras and a variety of information to help with travel decisions and planning. You can also follow SHA on Twitter @MDSHA and on Facebook.

A new FREE service this year is the “511 Traveler Information” system. To Know Before You Go! simply dial 511 from a land line or mobile phone for traffic, weather alerts and road conditions. For internet access, visit www.MD511.org. While there, register with My511 to customize your reports on your most frequent routes and areas of interest.