Traffic Alert: 3-Car Crash Causes Road Closures In Silver Spring

SILVER SPRING, MD — A collision between three cars resulted in downed wires in a roadway during the snow storm in Silver Spring Wednesday afternoon, Montgomery County Police said.

Police announced around 2:45 p.m. that the collision occurred near Franklin Avenue at University Boulevard.

Eastbound and westbound lanes are closed in the area, police said.

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer said a construction vehicle is involved in the crash.

There are no serious injuries reported.

Drivers should be aware that wintry weather is affecting roads Wednesday.

Maryland State Police say between 8 a.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Wednesday, state troopers were called to 408 crashes, 166 disabled vehicles and 1,231 overall calls for service. Snow emergency plans are now in place in Allegany, Garrett, Baltimore, Charles, Washington, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Howard, Calvert, Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties.

The Maryland Transportation Authority says travel conditions will change rapidly as precipitation moves back in and urges residents to consider canceling travel plans. Icy spots are possible at this time. Remember bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads will freeze first. Keep in mind that what looks wet may be ice.

AAA offers the following tips for driving on snowy or icy roads:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly; it takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Turn the steering wheel in the direction your wheels are going if you start to skid. Do not hit brakes or gas.
• Increase following distance.
• Use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't stop if you can help it. Slow down enough to stay moving until a traffic light changes.
• Don't speed up or stop going uphill. Try to get momentum going on a flat surface before you reach a hill and let inertia carry you to the top. At the crest of the hill, reduce your speed. Proceed as slowly as possible.

For real-time updates on major incidents follow the authority on Twitter at twitter.com/TheMDTA or click the Twitter app. Call 1-877-BAYSPAN (229-7726) for current traffic conditions at the Bay Bridge. To view real-time traffic camera images on MDTA roadways, visit mdta.maryland.gov.Call 511 or visit MD511.org for statewide travel information.

>> This is a developing story. Patch will update this post as more information becomes available.

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