Contact: Office of Customer Relations and Information EOC, 410-582-5630 or 410-582-5650
(December 8, 2013 at 4:15 p.m.) – With the heaviest snow moving out of the State, SHA crews are turning their attention to sleet and freezing rain, which are predicted this evening and will continue to make driving conditions hazardous.
“With the persistence of dedicated crews, we are seeing bare pavement on most roads in the metropolitan area. Driving conditions are still very dangerous – and the best advice is not to drive if at all possible,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “Our fear is that drivers will see the clear roadway, and become less cautious. Ice is difficult for drivers to detect and much more difficult to treat than snow.”
From the Emergency Operations Center, the Maryland State Highway Administration is monitoring and managing storm response throughout the State. More than 1,800 trucks are plowing and applying salt to the State’s numbered routes. Crews will continue to treat roadways throughout the night and early morning. Many counties now have snow emergency plans in effect: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Washington. Disabled vehicles and crashes continue to plaque roadways throughout the State – for a complete listing of current incidents visit md511.org or chart.state.md.us.
In addition to plows and dump trucks, additional emergency traffic patrols are on duty to assist disabled vehicles and manage roadway incidents. Additionally heavy duty tow trucks are positioned around the State to assist disabled heavy trucks.
Ramps, bridges and overpasses freeze first, so drivers should remain on guard at all times. If your vehicle does become disabled, make every effort to move from the travel lane and onto the shoulder. Remain alert for inactive traffic signals as a result of power outages. Use EXTREME caution and treat it is as a four-way stop – it’s the law. Remember to buckle up, “Take It Slow on Ice and Snow” and drive sober!
Sign up for SHA’s FREE service -- the “511 Traveler Information” system. Know Before You Go! Dial 511 from a land line or mobile phone for traffic, weather alerts and road conditions. For internet access, visit
www.MD511.org.
Before leaving, 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. Customers can also follow SHA on Facebook and Twitter.
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