(November 22, 2010) – With predictions of increased travel this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is making preparations to help make travel safer and less stressful for motorists. SHA is coordinating with the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DELDOT) to prepare motorists for major congestion expected as a result of ongoing construction at the Newark Toll Plaza in Delaware. Major delays and significant congestion are expected over the next several days along northbound I-95 in Maryland, particularly on Wednesday, traditionally the single heaviest travel day of the year.
Travelers are urged to log onto
www.roads.maryland.gov and click onto “CHART” before hitting the road. Whether taking a short trip across town or a journey along I-95, I-70, I-68 or I-83, the CHART web site offers an array of critical travel information. Real-time traffic cameras, incident-related lane closures and delays, estimated travel times, weather information and real-time speeds displayed on maps are just a few of the tools motorists can access to effectively navigate the road system and avoid delays.
“Don’t let a trip meant to share special time with family and loved ones turn into a tragedy because of distractions along the way,” reminds SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “Stay alert for construction cones and barrels; if you need to place a call or text, pull over to a safe place off the road, and before all else, buckle up for a safe start to your holiday.”
SHA’s CHART (Coordinated Highways Action Response Team) program closely coordinates and shares information with motorists around the clock and assists tens of thousands of motorists each year. Operators located at the Statewide Operations Center (SOC) and several regional Traffic Operations Centers (TOCs) monitor traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The SOC is located near the Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International (BWI) Airport and manages all CHART functions. Information, gathered from several sources within Maryland including the State Police, SHA and travelers using #77, is disseminated to travelers, media and other agencies.
To further ease congestion, all non-emergency roadwork on SHA-maintained roadways will be suspended between Wednesday, November 24 at 9 a.m. and Monday morning, November 29. Emergency response units will patrol metropolitan interstates in search of stranded motorists to help them on their way and prevent delay for other motorists.
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.
• The National Click it of Ticket campaign will be underway; police will be enforcing seat belt laws.
• Place children in the proper child safety seat.
• Travel during off peak hours and 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 such as cell-phone use, changing CDs and eating. Observe all posted speed limits.
• Never drink and drive! Designate a sober driver.
• Drivers with cellular phones can dial #77 or 911 to report suspected aggressive or drunk drivers.
• In the unfortunate case you are involved in a minor crash, please safely move your vehicle from the travel lanes – it’s Maryland’s law.
In inclement weather –
• See and be seen. Maryland State Law requires the use of headlights while windshield wipers are in use.
• Wet road surfaces are not ideal and require particularly attentive driving.
• Slow down, increase your distance between the vehicle in front of you, avoid distractions and drive defensively.
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