WASHINGTON (AP) — New policies are being developed for snowstorms to have federal workers leave work by a designated time or shelter in place until roads are clear.

Officials are overhauling the government’s bad-weather policy for the first time in 14 years. The goal is to avoid the transportation disaster that trapped drivers on Washington-area roads for as long as 12 hours during the Jan. 26 snowstorm.

Under a draft plan, the Office of Personnel Management plans to decide earlier than they have in past on whether to close the government.

For early closings, workers would be told to leave by a designated time or shelter in place. No one would be forced to stay at work.

The government’s plan affects 300,000 federal workers and many other businesses that follow its lead.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)