(March 25, 2013) - Winter refuses to leave the region and is laying a carpet of snow in Maryland, slowing commutes and making visibility difficult. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) has deployed its trucks and personnel statewide to help make driving safer. As traffic volumes increase, SHA reminds motorists to drive at the appropriate speed for the weather conditions. Crews will continue to salt and plow throughout the morning.

SHA reminds everyone on the road to see and be seen by clearing your entire vehicle of snow; watching for pedestrians navigating slick conditions on foot; using windshield wipers; and driving with caution.  Please follow key safety laws:

• Wipers on, lights on!
• Don't use cruise control on icy roads.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
  
• MOVE OVER – fender benders with no injuries, move out of travel lanes!
  
• MOVE OVER to free lanes away from emergency vehicles during incidents, and please force yourself to keep your eyes on the road, not to look at the scene.  

Motorists are asked to prepare by following winter driving tips and checking conditions along their route before going out by logging onto www.md511.org.  Maryland now features FREE 511 traveler information! Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org for current travel advisories and temporary and long-term lane closures for highway maintenance or construction work.  Sign up to personalize travel route information through MY511 on the website. Remember to use 511 safely - Maryland law prohibits hand-held mobile phone use and texting while driving.