An unusually mild winter with periods of heavy rain or snow add up to a muddy situation and headaches for area motorists.

A common traffic problem starts when mud is tracked onto state highways from both private and commercial driveways, said Andy Cerovich of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Maintenance Department. Construction sites and new housing developments -- where roads are usually unpaved -- can bring on an often unexpected driving hassle.

"It's a typical problem -- warm weather and freezing cycles create thawing periods where mud can become a problem," said Dick Lewis of the PennDOT division of Permits-Driveways. "And this year, we've had an early thaw."

While the problem is seasonal, Lewis hears about six complaints annually.

Mud on state highways can create serious driving problems including mud splashed on windshields, slippery conditions and loss of control due to mud buildup.

Lewis says cleaning up mud problems are usually routed to the appropriate county maintenance organization. If the situation is not cleared up, PennDOT can either remove the mud and charge the permit owner, or rescind a driveway permit.

Lewis added that PennDOT requires all driveways near state highways to be paved where traffic flow consists of more than 25 vehicles per day. If driveways are left unpaved, they must be covered with gravel or stone.

Also, tractor-trailers are required to follow a maintenance and cleanup procedure designed to reduce the amount of mud tracked onto state highways.

If an accident should occur due to the mud on the highway, the driveway permit owner can be held responsible for damages, Lewis said.

Lee Lowry, State College director of Public Works, said a local ordinance is on the books regarding cleanup procedures for construction crews. Lowry, who supervises State College streets and sewers, said mud problems also occur in the area when construction takes place during a thawing period.