Despite the many central Mainers waking up to a new blanket of snow, area law-enforcement officials were happy to report drivers were taking it easy on the roads.

An Augusta police dispatcher said as of 4:30 p.m., no traffic accidents had been reported. A dispatcher at the regional communication center said they were unaware of any "major (accidents) happening at this time.”

No accidents have been reported for the commute home, according to several area law-enforcement agencies.

Hopefully, we've seen winter's last hurrah. But with the coming of spring comes more than posted roads -- the emergence of our forest friends, especially deer.

Drop me a line at 623-3811 Ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com if you have had an unfortunate car-versus-deer experience.

The good news: winter is slowly melting into spring.

The bad news: that means mud season is not far behind.

In a seasonal newsletter, the Maine Local Roads Center, a division of the Maine Department of Transportation, warns drivers that if they thought the broken and cracked roads were bad now, there’s a chance things could get worse.

Thawing frost and rainfall could further weaken roads, the MLRC warns, or could buckle from the weight of trucks and heavy vehicles. Communities are urged to post such roads just before the thaw and keep the signs up until just after the thaw ends.

Such proactive arrangements not only protect the roads that are susceptible to further breaking, they protect the drivers who use the roads.

Get more information about posted roads here.

The Kennebec County Sheriff's Office is responding to a vehicle accident on Route 17 in Manchester. According to a police radio broadcast, the accident has resulted in "serious personal injuries" and at least one person has been transported to a hospital.

Other details about the accident, including how many people and vehicles are involved in the accident, were not immediately released.

The commute in Augusta is clear, according to the Augusta Police Department dispatch.

We've been receiving tips from you loyal readers on where the worst potholes in your neighborhood are.

Now, you can update our new online interactive maps yourself.

Check out our pothole maps $ Kennebec Journal area or Morning Sentinel locations $ daily for updates on potholes in your area or add a nasty crater to the map yourself.

No traffic accidents have been reported in the greater Augusta area, though residents in Litchfield who take Route 197 past Kennedy Lane may run into delays; a structure fire in the neighborhood has been reported.

Springtime can bring flowers -- and floods. After the snowfall accumulations for central Maine continued to climb, so did a valid concern of area flooding for many riverside communities, such as Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner. Do you have concerns how springtime flooding may impact your commute -- or worse, your home or vehicle? Drop me a line at 623-3811 Ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com

No one appeared to be injured in a three-vehicle accident on Augusta’s northside this afternoon.

Augusta police dispatchers and Maine State Police troopers responded to the accident, in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 near exit 112 (by the mall) in the early afternoon today.

The dispatcher said no one involved in the accident was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The commute tonight is reportedly clear, except for the un-springtime weather happening right now. A mix of rain and snow is expected to continue tonight, with flurries for the morning commute tomorrow, according to the National Weather Service. The weather should not hinder morning traffic; less than half an inch is expected.

Despite the snow, no commute-hindering accidents have been reported by area law-enforcement agencies. Keep a stiff upper lip, however, tomorrow is the first day of spring!

Yesterday, we asked you loyal readers to send in tips about where the worst potholes in central Maine lurk, and the turn-out has been great! We plan to launch an online map for your convenience with the location of these pockmarked roads.

When submitting a tip, include not only the street the pothole is on, but please also include the cross street or a prominent landmark the pothole is by (like the railroad tracks or a town office). Help yourself and fellow drivers and keep those tips coming in.

Call 623-3811 Ext. 431 with pot hole or traffic new, or drop me a line at: mmalloy@centralmaine.com

There's been a lot of talk lately about potholes in central Maine and where the most worn roads are.

The Kennebec Commuter would like to map these troubled roads and needs help figuring out where the most torn-up streets and roads are in your community.

Drop a line at mmalloy@centralmaine.com or call 623-3811, Ext. 431, and let us know where the potholes are in your community. You may save someone or yourself money from unneeded car repairs associated with the craters!

Loyal readers who caught today's column on the roller coaster ride that Route 24 has evolved into due to the winter's freeze and thaw cycles may want to check out a meeting the town of Richmond is planning to hold Wednesday night to discuss the proposed detour on Route 201 when I-295 closes over the summer for work.

Don't get too excited about this springtime weather.

The weekend is expected to be a snowy one, which may halt some travel plans (unless you're headed to Sugarloaf).

The commute home is slated to be easy, with no reported vehicle accidents in Augusta or the surrounding communities.

Think you know where the most accident-prone intersections in Maine are? The answer may be closer to you than you think. Check out Sunday's Kennebec Journal or Morning Sentinel for our look at Maine's busiest intersections and where you're most likely to be involved in a car crash.

A little snow today won't hinder the drive home.

Area law-enforcement agencies reported no accidents this afternoon.

It's about time to say good-bye to winter and welcome warmer temperatures and start planning road trips.

With higher gas prices on the horizon, will your spring or summer trip be affected? If so, drop me a line at mmalloy@centralmaine.com or give me a ring at 623-3811 Ext. 431.

The Kennebec Commuter talked about potholes in Maine in last week's commuting column. While the capital city will not be able to permanently fix the pockmarks until almost summer, our good friends at Maine DOT are taking matters into their hands as quickly as they can.

MDOT officials will once again start "posting" roads around the state, warning drivers which roads are starting to show that spring is around the corner.

State troopers are still investigating an accident on I-295 near Bowdoinham this morning that killed a Pittsfield man.

Trooper Tim Black said a Panera Bread truck was making deliveries this morning when Christopher Strom, 30, stepped on to the interstate in the path on-coming traffic and was struck by the truck.

Black said traffic continued to travel safely, though troopers shut down one lane from about 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Why Strom stepped on to the interstate has yet to be determined, but Black said, "We found his car by the side of the road in good working condition."

The right lane of Bangor Street in Augusta is laden with potholes. Motorists must be careful coming off the eastside rotary on Cony Circle or they could be replacing an axle or looking at a front-end alignment job courtesy of these potholes.

Read more about potholes in the Kennebec Commuter's latest column.

You knew the spring weather couldn’t last.

The National Weather Service had to be a killjoy and report that after this almost balmy day, central Maine will once again be slammed by freezing rain and snow, which could hinder travel plans for the weekend.

The inclement weather is expected to start this evening.

Planning on driving somewhere this weekend? Be sure to check out the Kennebec Journal online for updates on closings and cancelations.

For the commute home this afternoon, expect an easy drive; no traffic accidents have been reported by area law-enforcement agencies.

Winthrop police are currently on the scene of a vehicle accident which reportedly has multiple injuries, according to a police radio broadcast.

A dispatcher at the Winthrop Police Department declined to release details, including the location of the accident, simply stating, "We're there working on it right now."

In Augusta and around the county, roads are reported clear of accidents.

A colleague of the Kennebec Commuter's mentioned something of interest this afternoon: people who don't take the time to clear snow and ice off the top of their vehicles.

The simple act of clearing your car or truck roof of snow can actually prevent a driving hazard, as the snow can clump up, fly off the top of your vehicle, and hit the windshield of the person driving behind you, blocking their vision.

Keep an extended ice scraper in your vehicle and take a few minutes in the morning or evening to clear accumulated snow or ice off the top of the vehicle.

Despite inclement weather, area law-enforcement agencies did not report any traffic accidents in southern Kennebec County.

Tomorrow's morning commute looks slick and icy.

The National Weather Service is projecting central Maine to receive up to three inches of wintry precipitation overnight, with additional freezing rain showers tomorrow morning before 10 a.m.

Tonight's commute looks like an easy one. One accident in Unity Township was reported by the Maine State Police. No other accidents from area law-enforcement agencies were reported.

The AAA released new data on gas prices state-by-state, and the news isn't good for Mainers.

According to the most recent figures, released this morning, Maine residents are paying 5 cents above the national average, and an average of 10 cents more than last month.

Though gas prices in the Pine Tree State range from $3.11 to $3.44, the average is hovering at $3.21, which jumped from $3.11 in February.

Want the full story behind Maine's creeping gas prices and what you can do to save gas while you drive? Check out Wednesday's Kennebec Journal.