(January 3, 2014 – 6:30 a.m. update) – The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) continues winter operations as the winter storm moves out of Maryland on Friday morning. Crews have been out plowing and salting as the year’s first winter storm brought between four and eight inches of snow to most of Maryland.  Motorists should use extreme caution as bitter cold temperatures will turn any wet area to ice.

“The main concern facing motorists this morning is blowing snow that can quickly cover recently plowed lanes,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters.  “Motorists need to have realistic expectations and use heightened caution and reduce speeds.  Crews will continue applying chemicals but we warn people that any snow packed areas will be very slow to melt, even with salt or salt brine on the road.”

Snow emergency plans are in effect in many counties and drivers are urged to stay behind snow plows – “Don’t Crowd the Plow.” 

SHA also urges motorists to clear snow completely from vehicles as frozen ice that forms on car roofs can become a dangerous projectile.

Should motorists come upon a traffic signal that is out, State law requires ALL traffic to stop and treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

The latest traffic information is available by calling 5-1-1 from a hands-free device or logging onto www.md511.org and following SHA on Facebook and Twitter for road updates.