REISTERSTOWN, Md. -- Gov. Bob Ehrlich said he has issued an executive order that will ban all non-essential vehicles from state roads.

Ehrlich said too many people are making discretionary trips right now, and they're interfering with snow removal and emergency services.

State Police Superintendent Edward Norris says the order won't go into effect right away -- and people will have some notice.

But he says once it goes out, the order will cover about a 12-hour period so that state vehicles have the freedom to clear roadways and emergency vehicles can get to people who need help without passenger cars in their way.

Norris says there are no regular state police cruisers on the roads right now -- only four-wheel drive vehicles. He says he's called in 300 additional troopers from home to help people who are stuck on the roads.