Maryland transportations officials encourage safe holiday travel

BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging travelers to prioritize safety during the busy holiday season, as the agency anticipates a surge in travelers. The holiday travel period, which runs from Dec. 21, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025, is expected to see a significant increase in the number of travelers on Maryland roads and at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. […]

Maryland State Police launch holiday highway safety initiative

BALTIMORE, MD—With millions of Marylanders expected to hit the roads for holiday travel, the Maryland State Police have announced increased highway safety patrols over the next two weeks. The initiative will focus on cracking down on impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving. Troopers from all 23 barracks will be deployed in saturation patrols and checkpoints throughout the state. The Maryland State […]

NHTSA finalizes rear seatbelt reminder rule in new cars

WASHINGTON, DC—New vehicles are safer than they’ve ever been, but there’s always room for improvement. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently finalized a new rule requiring seatbelt warning systems for both front and rear passengers (PDF), which is expected to save 50 lives and prevent over 500 injuries annually. This rule amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, […]

I-95 Express Toll Lanes northbound extension to open this week

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Transportation Authority on Monday announced that the northbound I-95 Express Toll Lanes (ETL) extension will open to traffic on Wednesday, December 18. The 6.5-mile extension, which runs from White Marsh Boulevard (MD 43) to Mountain Road (MD 152), aims to alleviate congestion and offer commuters a more reliable travel option on one of Maryland’s busiest corridors. To […]

AAA: Holiday travel to break records this year

BALTIMORE, MD—AAA predicts a record-breaking 119.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holiday period from Saturday, December 21 to Wednesday, January 1. This projection narrowly exceeds the 2019 record by 64,000 travelers. AAA predicts 3 million more travelers this holiday season. The surge in holiday travel is attributed to Christmas Day falling on […]

Dense Fog Advisory issued for Baltimore area

BALTIMORE, MD—The National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for the Baltimore area. The advisory will remain in effect until 2 a.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Forecasters say visibility will be reduced to one-quarter mile or less in many locations. Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous. Conditions will improve south of a passing warm front overnight. […]