Transportation officials urge drivers to use mass transit

BALTIMORE - Transportation officials urge drivers to use mass transit.

Your morning commute might take a little longer, and be a lot more hectic if you decide to drive, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA).  The SHA is urging drivers to use public transportation, such as, the Light Rail services, Baltimore Metro Subway and the MARC train.

Citizens who need to drive should leave early, plan on extra commute time and be patient as traffic delays are expected.

"This is a very serious situation and drivers need to be patient and allow extra time to commute in the morning as many traffic signals may still be without power," said SHA Administrator Melinda Peters.  "At a signaled intersection where traffic lights are not operating it is imperative to treat it as a four-way stop, but remain extra cautious of other drivers that may think they have the right-of-way."

The SHA is asking drivers not to travel in the evening, but if travel is necessary tonight, use extreme caution as many traffic signals and highway lighting systems are without power and not operational.