(December 21, 2012) – If you’re planning a trip this holiday season, know before you go with Maryland’s free 5-1-1 service that provides drivers with the latest travel routes and can be customized to pinpoint your precise route.  Add more predictability to your trip to Grandma’s house on Christmas morning or before heading out for New Year’s Eve by calling 511 or accessing www.md511.org.  You can also set up personalized trip reports using MyMaryland511.   Learn about major incidents, delays, estimated travel times and weather conditions before you get into your vehicle.  Drivers can save time, fuel costs and the frustration that often breeds aggressive and unsafe driving.

 

“Near blizzard conditions have already been felt in Western Maryland and coastal flooding has affected portions of the eastern shore.  The first call you should make before starting the car is   5-1-1,” said Melinda B. Peters, SHA Administrator.  “We’re asking motorists to partner in making this holiday season a safe one by driving attentively and sober.  Always buckle up and remember your family members are relying on you to make the right decisions behind the wheel.”

Holidays can be stressful and unfortunately, impaired driving does increase during the holiday season.  Please make sure there is a designated driver and always buckle up.  Monitor local weather forecasts and be prepared by having a winter survival kit in your vehicle.

In the event of any wintry precipitation east of the Western Maryland mountains this holiday season or any time this winter, SHA’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will activate near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport in Hanover at SHA’s 24-hour Statewide Operations center (SOC).  The EOC coordinates statewide winter operations and works closely with SHA’s CHART program, which shares information with motorists around the clock and assists tens of thousands of motorists each year. 

operators located at the SOC and several regional Traffic Operations Centers (TOCs) monitor traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Information, gathered from several sources within Maryland including the State Police, SHA and travelers using #77, is disseminated to travelers, media and other agencies.

More than 90 percent of all fatal traffic crashes are preventable, so be sure to keep the holidays a time for celebration with these helpful tips:

Drive focused – Maryland law prohibits hand-held cell phone use and texting while driving.

Buckle up!  It’s the law in Maryland and your number one defense in a crash.

Move over to an adjacent travel lane away from emergency personnel - a Maryland law requires it.

Keep gas tanks full to prevent freezing.  Also make sure windshield wiper fluid reservoirs are topped off.

 
Allow extra time for unexpected delays.

 Check your vehicle’s lights, tires, battery and windshield wipers for proper operation.  Slow down and pay attention, avoiding distractions while driving.

 

 Never drink and drive!  Designate a sober driver. 

In case you are involved in a minor crash, safely move  your vehicle from the  travel lanes – Its Maryland’s law!

The National Click it or Ticket campaign will be underway; police will be enforcing seat belt laws.

 

###