Junior classical languages and literatures and history major

As I’m sure you noticed, the drive to College Park Monday was brighter than usual. More specifically, you may have noticed the normally gray asphalt had become a white sheet with tiny gray splotches.

No, this was not snow on the ground. This was a blanket of salt, dumped at the first hint of a flurry the day before. Despite the absence of measurable snow, this layer of sodium chloride has attached itself to every car, van, bus and slow-moving scooter over the past few days and wrought havoc on both paint jobs and salt reserves.

But this is no mistake. No rampaging salt truck driver has decided to take revenge on the puny cars around him and dump a metric ton for fun. No, this is merely symptomatic of the culture of fright and overreaction when it comes to snow in this state.

Allow me to put this into a national context. In the theme of the university’s new Big Ten membership, let me begin with the great state of Ohio. Terps can rest easy knowing those Buckeyes, politically adept though they may be, exhibit the same paranoia toward snowy roads this state does. Both states burn through salt loads by mid-February, delay professional work days and even shut down schools for no more than two inches of snow. Take notes, as this could be a great conversation starter when the Bucks roll through town for football season in 2014.

Now take a look at another state close to my heart: Minnesota. As anyone within Minnesota borders will promptly inform you, Minnesotans go to school in feet – yes, plural – of snow each winter and are grateful for the opportunity. One look at the Maryland system of school closure would prompt hearty laughter followed by a Vikes game in negative-degree weather.

Why does this state do it? It could possibly be for safety, which is the most feasible argument for closing schools. Just on Friday, there were no less than six major car crashes, all the day after a storm and adequate plowing. Maryland drivers – at least those on the Capital Beltway, Route 29, Route 1 and Route 100 – seem to be incapable of driving even in stable, post-snow conditions. This is indicative more of a paranoia around snow than an actual safety issue around wet roads.

Even if it was the roads, the methods of snow removal are even more ridiculous. Anyone driving after a minor snowfall will typically see a convoy of eight snow plows, all driving side-by-side, traffic held up behind them for more than half a mile. What’s more, some streets are being salted at least twice before other neighborhoods get a first layer. Both of these indicate a serious issue in both the allocation and the training of salt truckers. Both of these things are blowing taxpayers’ money and propagating a system that is clearly broken.

While those living on this campus might not feel the same anger over road conditions, it’s something commuters have to deal with every day. Also, the tax money allowing you a cheap public education is also going to this disaster of emergency response systems. A more efficient system might keep down tuition costs, or at least allow for less inflation by freeing up more money. If you don’t believe me, wait until we get a real snow storm and have to ship in salt from Virginia or Delaware. That price tag goes up in a hurry.

There are better ways to deal with winter weather, and it’s time this state takes a look at them before something really serious comes through — like a snowfall more than five inches.

Erik Shell is a sophomore classical languages and literatures and history major. He can be reached at erik1434@gmail.com.