What is the Snow Emergency Plan?
The Maryland State Police (MSP) declares snow emergencies with input from MD State Highway Administration. Once a snow emergency is declared, the law requires certain precautions.
They include:
- Prohibited parking on roads and streets designated as snow emergency routes and
- The use of snow tires/chains (most cars now use all weather tires, so changing to “snow” tires is unnecessary);
The following highways have been designated as snow emergency routes in Garrett County:
Interstate 68 Maryland Route 38 Maryland Route 495
U.S. Route 40 Maryland Route 39 Maryland Route 546
U.S. Route 50 Maryland Route 42 Maryland Route 560
U.S. Route 219 Maryland Route 135 Maryland Route 669
Once an emergency is in effect, all requirements are in effect until lifted. A Snow Emergency Plan is put into effect by county. Certain exceptions can occur while a snow emergency plan is in effect. A specific route(s) can be lifted and the remainders of the roads in the county still remain under the Snow Emergency Plan.
