Troopers Continue To Urge Marylanders To Stay Off Roads

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Troopers are reporting they are continuing to experience heavy snowfall, significantly reducing visibility and prompting a renewed call for people to stay off the road.

In Central and Western Maryland, troopers are reporting low visibility of 100 feet or less in some places, due to the heavy snowfall and wind. Troopers in Frederick County report even snow plows and tow trucks are having a difficult time maneuvering. Troopers there and in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties report traveling conditions are poor.

Troopers in Northern Maryland, including those patrolling I-95 north of Baltimore, continue to experience whiteout conditions and have been encountering numerous vehicles stuck in the snow. Troopers at the Bel Air Barrack are assisting with a call for dogs abandoned after a recent house fire.

Troopers in the Washington Metro Region say snow continues to fall with poor visibility. Troopers in Southern Maryland are reporting minor collisions and no major incidents. The same is true for troopers on the Eastern Shore, where the majority of precipitation is rain in Worcester and Wicomico counties.

Troopers in most of the state are able to respond in four-wheel drive vehicles only. In addition to State Police vehicles, they are being assisted by members of the Maryland National Guard in Humvees and Maryland Natural Resources Police officers in four-wheel drive vehicles. Although some main roads are passable in four-wheel drive vehicles, many on-ramps are completely blocked. Drivers encounter those without warning and are quickly stuck.

Troopers are most frequently encountering disabled vehicles that either spun out or are stuck in the snow. Vehicles that have been abandoned are being towed so they will not hinder snow removal efforts. Any driver whose vehicle was towed from a state highway or interstate, should contact the nearest Maryland State Police barrack. A list of barracks/locations is at mdsp.maryland.gov.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel William Pallozzi, in addition to stopping to assist disabled motorists, is at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, continuing to coordinate the state’s response with officials there. He joins the troopers on patrol in urging Marylanders to stay at home until the storm is over and roads are clear.

From 3:00 p.m. yesterday until 7:00 a.m. today, troopers statewide responded to 661 calls for service, including 150 accidents and assists to 238 disabled or stranded motorists.