GRIDLOCK SAM

Friday, Dec. 1 8 - Sunday, Dec. 2 0 ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES SUSPENDED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

Oh, the roadways outside were frightful Wednesday evening as the biggest winter storm in years rolled into the area. I know it’s been a while since we encountered a major storm so here’s some rules and advice:

With most snowstorms, including this one, only ASP rules are suspended. Meter rules, general No Parking, and all No Standing and No Stopping signs remain in effect.

When DOT declares a Full Snow Emergency, parking is prohibited on many streets, usually commercial and retail strips. Look for signs that say Snow Emergency Street; I added a snowflake to the sign in the 1 9 8 0 ’s to make it easier to spot.

The purpose is to clear parking so that snowplows can open the curb lane for deliveries and ultimately let shoppers return to park at meters. This is declared infrequently during the biggest of storms.

In the old days you needed snow tires or chains to travel during a snow emergency; today most radial tires are sufficient in the eyes of DOT.

On Wednesday, I tweeted (please make sure you follow me @gridlocksam) that, if you’re on a one-way street, try to park on the left side since snowplows pile the snow on the right side. If you’re on the wrong side of the street now and a spot on the left opens up, grab it. Plowing will continue.

Avoid using cruise control if the roadways are slippery (watch for black ice), and accelerate and decelerate slowly. Bridges and overpasses may remain frozen while approach roads are dry. When approaching a bridge, leave plenty of room in front of you so you can maintain a constant speed; braking or accelerating could send you into a skid.

We’re likely to hit peak turbulence around The Tree this final weekend before Christmas; avoid the area surrounding Rockefeller Center (5th and 6th Avenues between 48th and 51st Streets). NOTE TO READERS: 2021 Gridlock

Sam Parking Calendars are here! The essential guide to all things traffic is available as a free download at http://www. gridlocksam.com/store/. What new temporary parking rules are in effect due to COVID? What are the Gridlock Alerts next year? What is the most dangerous day of the year to drive? You’ll get that and all the parking suspension dates from my free calendar.

For hard copies, please send checks for postage and handling to Gridlock Sam, 32 2 Eighth Ave., Fifth Floor, New York, NY, 10001. One calendar is $3, five are $5, and 10 are $6.