Any local Marylander will tell you that traffic in and around Silver Spring, MD can be challenging, especially during rush hour. Luckily there are plenty of great resources available to check up on traffic conditions before hitting the road. Here are some excellent sites to check for traffic updates in Maryland. 1. MDOT CHART The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has a task force for helping drivers adapt to road conditions. The Coordinated Highway Action Response Team (CHART) maintains a traveler information page to keep Maryland drivers informed about traffic, maintenance, lane closures, and more. Featuring links to a variety of apps, charts, and other data from across the state, CHART's traveler information page is possibly the best resource for state-wide traffic information in Maryland. more MDOT's dozens of traffic cameras are all available to stream life, so drivers can take a look at on-the-ground conditions at roads, bridges, and intersections along their route. Users can even see what's displayed on amber signs throughout Maryland. A comprehensive list of local weather stations shows up-to-the-minute weather at dozens of places around the state. CHART even provides the data from speed sensors to see precisely how fast traffic is flowing. 2. CHART Interactive Map CHART's beautiful interactive GIS mapping application is an elegant interface to the many cameras and incident reports available through the traveler information portal. Clickable markers show the locations of each traffic cam, accident, and lane closure in the state on the clickable, scrollable, zoomable map. As users zoom out, markers of each type dynamically combine to avoid crowding the map and expand when clicked to show each individual point. Clicking on a camera marker brings up a live feed from the camera right on the map, to quickly check how traffic is flowing at an important place on a route. Incident report markers show details about reported accidents, scheduled maintenance, downed trees, and anything else drivers might need to navigate Maryland roads. 3. WBAL TV WBAL TV 11 is another great source for Maryland traffic information. The Baltimore-based NBC affiliate provides excellent traffic reports as part of its local news coverage, focusing on the Baltimore-Washington area. WBAL also maintains an interactive traffic map. In addition to showing construction and accidents, it also plots markers for slowdowns which provide details about the size of traffic backups across the region, including the expected length of time of each delay. It's a fantastic resource for routing around crowded sections of the highway during rush hour. 4. WTOP News Washington's venerable news radio station is renowned in the DC area for its excellent coverage of regional traffic and road conditions. Generations of commuters in Maryland and across the region have tuned into WTOP for its regular, comprehensive coverage of traffic on the major roadways. For those already in the car, WTOP radio is a trusted source for concise, up-to-the-minute traffic reports from its famous "glass-enclosed nerve center" in Friendship Heights. Drivers who haven't yet hit the road can also access an interactive map provided by WTOP. In addition to covering slowdowns, accidents, and other incidents, it also embeds WTOP's excellent traffic report Twitter feed, which curates reports from both WTOP's reporters and government sources. Keep Your Vehicle Reliable with Auto Service at Our Silver Spring Service Department These four excellent sources take the guesswork out of a trip on Maryland roads in Silver Spring and beyond. Get in touch with DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to stay up to date on your car’s maintenance.
Whether you visit Maryland from DC or live here in Silver Spring, MD, you're likely familiar with the 16th Street traffic circle and how intimidating it can be while driving in it. Since improvements were made recently, we thought it would be a good time to review these traffic marvels and how to interact with them in the wild. The state has a detailed website about roundabouts that's worth checking out, but here are the basics for drivers. 1. Bicyclists & Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way Safety first, and that means letting the bicyclists and pedestrians go first. The rules for these users are on the website linked above if you happen to not be in a car when you hit this traffic circle, but the same basic rules apply to everyone. more 2. Yield; Don't Stop Turning into a roundabout is a lot like making a right turn at an intersection: the vehicles already in motion in the traffic circle have the right-of-way. Once you are in the traffic circle, you will have the right-of-way, too. Until then, look for a gap to safely enter the traffic flow. 3. Traffic Moves Counter-Clockwise In the United States, and definitely here in Maryland, our traffic circles move counter-clockwise, which means traffic flows in the opposite direction than the hands of a clock turn. You will want to revisit rules about traffic circles if you travel elsewhere though because this rule can vary depending on local traffic patterns. 4. Stay in the Inner Circle Until Your Exit Pay attention to the signs and you will see what exit to take. There's no shame if you need to do an extra circle or two to figure it out. Sometimes there can be a lot of signs. Just be sure to use your turn signal as you’re switching lanes, and as you enter and exit the traffic circle. 5. Don't Stop for Vehicles Entering the Circle You have the right of way now! You may cause an accident if you try to stop and let someone in. Go with the flow of traffic around the circle until you reach your desired exit. If you haven't figured out which exit you need, then take another lap in the inner circle. 6. Use Your Turn Signals This is one of the best ways to avoid accidents in and out of traffic circles. Once you see your exit, use your turn signal, and exit the roundabout to continue on with your journey. This lets other drivers know what your intentions are so that they can act accordingly. Find a Dependable New Car in Maryland for All Your Travels While traffic circles may seem dangerous, studies show they actually reduce crashes when people know how to use them by slowing vehicles down and reducing the possibility of head-on and T-bone collisions. If you do find yourself needing a new car, be sure to explore the vehicles available at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring - your premier car dealership in Silver Spring, MD.
Knowing what to expect in any situation can save you a lot of stress, especially when you're dealing with getting a permit. Before you head to your local Silver Spring MD, MVA for your permit test, you need to be prepared so that you know what to expect and so you don't have to make that same trip twice. 1. You Have to Have the Right Forms Forms are non-negotiable whenever you do anything at the MVA and applying for a learner's permit is no different. You will need every form listed online, no exception. Reviewing the web page listing the necessary documents is the best way to prepare so that you have every single form and won't be sent home. more 2. You Need to Schedule an Appointment Once you have all of the forms and signatures you need for your application to qualify, you must schedule an appointment. To avoid a wait, schedule in advance to avoid any kind of backlog at the office. Don't wait until the last minute or you might be waiting to get that permit. 3. Your Vision Will Be Tested You will be required to take a vision test since good eyesight is a requisite for driving. If you haven't been to the eye doctor in a while, you may want to schedule an appointment ahead of time to see if you need glasses or contacts. If you do wear contacts or glasses, make sure to have them in or have them with you on the day of your appointment so that you can see well. 4. You Will Have to Take a Test When you walk into your appointment, you won't be able to hand in the documents, receive your permit, and go home. After your vision test, you will be required to take a test. The good news is you can practice for this in advance thanks to the online practice test. You can also read through the Maryland Driver's Manual to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road so you can successfully pass the test. 5. It Will Cost You You'll have to pay a fee of $50.00 to get your permit. Knowing this in advance can prevent a lot of disappointment and frustration if you show up without a way to pay. While most MVAs take credit cards, have the cash to cover the cost and a little extra in case there are any additional fees you weren't aware of. 6. You Won't Get Your Actual Permit Right Away Even after you successfully pass your test, you won't get your permit right away. You may be given a temporary document, but your official permit will be mailed to you in the mail, usually within a few weeks of your visit. However, with a temporary permit, you can still begin practicing driving right away. New Cars for Sale in Silver Spring, MD to Start Your Driving Adventure On your way home from your appointment, what better way to spend your time than looking at your future vehicle. Your parent or guardian may eventually be getting you a vehicle, and when that time happens, we'll be ready to help. Visit us today at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Silver Spring to browse our extensive collection of new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, and Wagoneer models!
