SHA Celebrates 100 Years of Modern Road Building and Keeping Maryland Highways Safe and Clear for All Motorists; SHA Reminds Motorists to “Take It Slow on Ice and Snow”          
          
(November 20, 2008) – Nearly 100 years ago, crews from the State Roads Commission, the predecessor of the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA), responded in force to clear snow from roadways. Workers dutifully got out their shovels and began clearing roads---by hand! Prior to that, they waited for it to melt. Fast forward to the 1940s when two-man plow crews patrolled the highways. One person drove the snow plow truck; the other stood in the back of the dump truck and shoveled salt onto the highways.          
          
Today, no matter what winter brings, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration’s (SHA) stands ready with state of the art equipment. Plow drivers and technical experts assembled at SHA’s Statewide Operations Center (SOC) in Hanover to demonstrate the equipment and advanced technology on hand to combat winter weather. This year SHA will regularly pre-treat interstate bridges, ramps and overpasses with salt brine up to 24 hours in advance of a winter storm, depending on the forecast.          
          
Pre-treating bridges, overpasses, and other sections of roads that freeze before the remainder of the highways will enable SHA to get a head start on fighting winter storms. Additionally, SHA will apply salt or pre-moistened salt in advance of sleet or freezing rain storms. Pre-treatment of bridges, ramps and overpasses is cost-effective because less salt will be required during the actual event. SHA has more than 336,000 tons of salt for 2008-2009 and eight salt brine machines in strategic locations across the State. To tackle especially challenging snow levels in the rural parts of the State, the fleet includes nearly 80 “wing plows.” This extra “wing” allow crews to move more snow in one pass, expediting snow removal and enhancing safety.           
          
“We are committed to staying ahead of winter storms. Helping people remain safe on the roads is at the core of all SHA operations,” stated SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen, who also serves as the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “We strongly encourage motorists to stay one step ahead of winter weather and log onto www.marylandroads.com and click the CHART icon. When on the road, be sure to take it slow on ice and snow.”          
          
During a winter storm, SHA personnel monitor a bank of more than 100 SHA-maintained roadway cameras throughout the State. SHA also has access to additional regional camera networks in Maryland. Since 2006, SHA has added 40 new camera systems to help enhance monitoring of highway conditions.          
          
Additionally, SHA has extended its ability to alert motorists of highway conditions by installing six new dynamic message signs (DMS) along US 50 (John Hanson Highway) on the Eastern Shore. SHA currently maintains 79 DMS systems in Maryland.          
          
When a winter weather emergency occurs, the SOC doubles as the Emergency Operations Center, the command center for winter storm operations. From this nerve center operators monitor traffic, collect information from roadway sensors, and deploy equipment such as snow plows and salt trucks.           
          
Travelers can plan ahead before hitting the pavement by logging onto the cyber highway at www.marylandroads.com and clicking on “CHART.” The CHART web site offers a treasure trove of travel information, snow emergency plans, real-time traffic camera views, weather information, average travel speed maps and incident-related road closure reports. Motorists can also call the Winter Storm Hotline at 1-800-327-3125 for winter weather road closures.          
          
Winter weather poses challenges for even the most experienced of travelers, which is all the more reason to choose safety for life when on the road. Choose Safety for Life is a campaign to prevent traffic fatalities and injuries that engages everyone – drivers, pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists in raising traffic safety awareness. Virtually all roadway fatalities could be eliminated, if all drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists followed the rules of the road captured in the acronym B-SAFE:          
          
Buckle up.          
Slow down – speeding kills.          
Always drive sober.          
Focus.          
Everyone share the road – everyone gets home.          
          
          
Additional Tips in the Event of Snow:          
• If you do not need to drive while is it snowing, please do not.          
• NEVER pass a snow plow. If driving behind a snow plow or salt truck, provide plenty of space (at least 7-8 car lengths) behind the truck.          
• Remember – bridges, ramps and overpasses freeze first. Use caution when driving across them.          
• Four-wheel drive vehicles are just as vulnerable to slipping on ice as regular two-wheel drive vehicles.          
• Pack a winter driving survival kit – including a shovel, blanket, water, jumper cables, flares, snacks and a flash light.          
• Before taking to the road, log onto www. marylandroads.com, click on the CHART icon and view traffic cameras.          
• Obtain a copy of the SHA “Winter Weather Brochure” and keep it in your glove compartment. Brochures are available at Maryland welcome centers and SHA offices.          
• Clear snow from your vehicle’s headlights, roof and from other places that may obstruct vision or become a danger for other motorists.          
• When shoveling snow, please do not place it in the street/roadway. Plow trucks push snow to the right. When facing your driveway, pile snow to your left, off the road. This reminder will save you additional hours of shoveling!           
          
More Tips to keep travelers safe all year long:          
          
• Buckle up! It’s the law and your number one defense in a crash.          
• Check your vehicle’s lights, tires, windshield wipers and battery for proper operation.          
• Slow down and pay attention, avoiding distractions such as cell-phone use.          
• Observe all posted speed limits.          
• Do not drink and drive! Designate a driver in advance.          
• In case of emergency, drivers with cellular phones can dial #77 to reach the Maryland State Police.           
• Wet road surfaces are not ideal and require alert driving attention. Remember wet leaves can be as slippery as ice.          
• Slow down, increase your distance between vehicles in front of you, avoid distractions and drive defensively.          
• See and be seen. Remember that Maryland State Law requires the use of headlights while windshield wipers are in use.          
• Always buckle children and use proper safety seats. For details log onto www.nhtsa.dot.gov or www.mdkiss.org.           
          
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