Roads becoming increasingly dangerous

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Many cities and towns in Southern New England have been working around the clock to keep roads safe, but as the snowstorm bears down on the region, that's becoming an increasingly difficult task.

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Sanders and plows are taking to area highways, though residents are still asked to take extreme caution while driving, and to stay put if possible.

"If you're traveling right now hopefully you're headed home or to your destination," said Peter Gaynor of the Providence Emergency Management Agency. "We really need you to get your car off any street, the snow ban is in effect, and we're going to get out there and we're going to ticket and we're going to tow, but we really need the streets clear so we can do a good job and get back to normal as soon as possible."

Parking bans are in effect across the region, and RIPTA has shut down as of noon.

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"All of our preparations are done, right now it's a waiting game until the snow becomes plowable, but it will happen very quickly," Gaynor said. "Again, the best advice we can give to residents is get home and hunker down."

The height of the storm is expected to last from 5 p.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Saturday.