Gov. Hogan: “Avoid Driving During This Storm”
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) and the Transportation Authority (MDTA) are reporting that 2,400 trucks are plowing and salting throughout the state to keep roads passable during the storm.
According to a news release, collisions and abandoned vehicles hampered operations and contributed to traffic jams and difficulties treating roadways today.
With freezing rain predicted tonight, SHA officials are encouraging everyone to avoid driving and if already traveling, get to their destinations and stay.
“Making sure the citizens of our state are kept informed and out of harm’s way will always be our number one priority, especially during winter storms like this one,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “We are strongly encouraging Marylanders to use common sense and to avoid driving during this storm.”
Travelers may obtain the latest free traffic and weather information by calling 5-1-1 from a landline or a hands-free mobile device or logging onto www.MD511.org. The website includes traffic camera images, maps of speeds and locations of incidents. Maryland’s 511 service offers free text and email alerts for most frequented routes through 511Direct – simply register and set your routes and preferences on-line.
Since the snow is forecast to turn to an icy mix, road crews will leave some snow on travel lanes to combine with salt and leave a slushy layer to prevent freezing precipitation from bonding to pavements and coating it with ice. Officials say driving in icy conditions is difficult no matter what type of vehicle a motorist uses, including four-wheel drives.
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