Maryland Urges Drivers To Get Off Roads During Winter Storm

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland State Highway Administration is urging travelers to stay off the roads due to heavy snow and ice expected across the state.

State Highway Administrator Melinda Peters says motorists should not be out on state roads Saturday unless it is an absolute emergency. Peters says motorists on the roads are becoming stuck, and travel speeds are below 20 mph.

There have been traffic backups on the Baltimore Beltway and on the Capital Beltway around Washington. Traffic accidents have been reported across the region.

The highway administration says the heavy snowfall is covering roads shortly after snow plows have cleared lanes. Officials say crews won't be able to clear highways down to bare pavement until the precipitation ends.

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