Thanksgiving Travel Guide for Maryland Highways

With nearly 3 million drivers traveling Maryland highways during the long Thanksgiving weekend, the odds are good you’ll encounter an accident, breakdown or bad weather.

Officials with the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration and Maryland Transportation Authority, along with Maryland State Police and AAA representatives said Monday they are preparing for the influx of traffic anticipated Thanksgiving Eve, notoriously referred to as the busiest travel day of the year.

They urge drivers to plan carefully, make sure their vehicles are in good shape before hitting the road and know your options if you find yourself stranded on the highway.

“Invest time in making sure your trip goes smoothly– carefully choose your route, have a back-up plan, and know before you go with the free 511 travel information service,” said Deputy State Highway Administrator and Chief of Operations Dave Coyne.

The 511 free travel service can be called or accessed by www.md511.org and provides estimated travel times, incident information, travel delays, weather updates and other value information for those on the road.

To ease traffic delays, non-emergency roadwork is not permitted on SHA-maintained roadways between Wednesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Nov. 30. Officials expect more than 2.7 million motorists this week on Maryland’s toll highways, bridges and tunnels, with more than half of those motorists on the I-95 corridor alone.

With several recent traffic crashes involving stranded motorists, Maryland State Police urge drivers to make sure vehicles are in good working order. Between 2010 and 2014, 32 people were killed while standing outside vehicles along interstate shoulders.

Tips If Your Car Breaks Down

•Carry an emergency kit in your car. The kit should include:

• Reflective triangles and/or a flashing warning light
• Flashlight
• Jumper cables
• Temporary flat tire repair
• A blanket
• Water and snacksfor people and animals
• A reflective vest

•When your vehicle is still operable, move as far onto the shoulder as possible.

•Draw attention to the vehicle, whether your disabled vehicle is on or off the roadway. Use flashing hazard lights if possible. Set out reflective triangles and turn on the flashing warning light from your emergency kit.

•Call for assistance as soon as you can. Call 911. If you are on a Maryland interstate, you can reach the nearest State Police barrack by dialing #77 on your mobile phone.

•When on the shoulder, you are still at risk. Other drivers steer toward the direction they are looking. Always keep checking oncoming traffic, especially when setting up reflectors or attempting repairs.

General Road Safety Tips:

• Drivers with mobile phones can dial #77 (on Maryland interstates to reach the nearest State Police barrack) or 911 to report suspected aggressive or drunk drivers, disabled motorists and other travel emergencies.

• Check your vehicle’s lights, fluids, tires, battery and windshield wipers for proper operation. Carry an emergency roadside kit.

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

• Buckle up. All seats, all passengers regardless of age, even in the backseat.

• Travel during off peak hours and allow extra time for unexpected delays.

• 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.

• Move over in the next lane or slow down when passing emergency responders on the shoulder. It is Maryland law.

• In the unfortunate case that you are involved in a minor crash, please safely move your vehicle from the travel lanes – it’s Maryland’s law.

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