Forecasted Snowfall and Strong Winds May Present Dangerous Driving Conditions; “Safe Havens” Available at 17 Ridesharing Lots Statewide 

(January 20, 2016) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is warning professional truck drivers to keep an eye on the weather forecast for travel this weekend.  If the current predictions are correct, trucking companies and truck drivers should consider altering travel plans to avoid Maryland this weekend due to potential snow-related hazardous driving conditions.

SHA is also reminding truckers who may find themselves traveling during a severe storm that 17 park and ride lots are available for emergency truck parking to ride out heavy snowfalls and blizzard-like conditions.  The lots are large enough to accommodate commercial trucks.  Click here for a listing of park and ride locations and access to a free mobile application.

“Offering truckers a safe haven during storms is essential in our operations planning,” said SHA Administrator Gregory C. Johnson, P.E.  “One disabled truck can essentially close an interstate, backing up traffic and severely hampering our abilities to clear snow from travel lanes.”

SHA makes the lots available when storms are forecasted to produce six or more inches of snow.  Additionally, SHA positions large commercial vehicle towing trucks near locations along its interstate system, especially in areas that trucks historically have trouble navigating.

Truckers are encouraged to take advantage of the free downloadable mobile application, as well as like SHA on Facebook and follow MDSHA on Twitter. For the latest real-time travel information, including snow emergency declarations, log onto www.md511.org.