The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is urging motorists to curtail non-essential travel on Tuesday morning due to potential icy conditions until temperatures warm. Those who must travel are urged to use extreme caution, particularly on elevated road surfaces as they freeze first. The State Highway Administration is preforming pretreating operations across the state where the precipitation will begin as snow. 

Highway users are encouraged to get the latest information before setting out. The Statewide Transportation Operations Resource Map  (STORM)  identifies where State Highway Administration and contractual equipment are and where they have been, as well as real-time weather information.    

For motorists that must travel, the State Highway Administration also offers the following guidelines for winter driving:    

• Slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal (dry) weather conditions.     

• Use extra caution on elevated surfaces, such as bridges, overpasses, and ramps as they are the first to freeze.    

• Don’t crowd the plow. Stay behind and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and State Highway Administration equipment.     

• Before driving, clear all snow from the vehicle as remaining snow on hoods and roofs can become ice and dislodge during highway travel which pose hazards to other motorists.     

• Move over or slow down when approaching emergency equipment – It’s the law!    

The State Highway Administration will be updating social media channels with information as it becomes available. Residents are also encouraged to visit chart.maryland.gov for real-time traffic incidents and access to hundreds of live traffic cameras.