The Kansas Highway Patrol is alerting folks in the Kansas City metro area that they will once again tow vehicles abandoned along certain key highways in the area to clear a path for snow removal operations.

Beginning at 08:30 a.m. today, February 25, 2013, the Kansas Highway Patrol will be towing vehicles abandoned on:
· I-70 from 18th Street to the state line;
· I-435;
· I-635 from I-35 to the state line;
· and on I-35 from the Gardner Road to the state line.

This process will be in effect until all the roadways are clear from this event and traffic is flowing normally. The purpose for the towing of the abandoned vehicles is to facilitate snow removal and keep the roadway open for emergency vehicles. The normal, 48-hour grace period will not be in effect during this snow event.

The Kansas Highway Patrol strongly urges individuals to stay in their vehicles if they get stuck or become involved in a collision, and to call 911 or *47 (*HP) on their cell phones. The safest place for vehicle occupants during a snow event is inside their vehicles with their seatbelts on.