Traffic back to normal on Russian highway

MOSCOW, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Traffic on the M-10 highway between Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, snarled by a snowstorm, has returned to normal, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

At a meeting Monday with his vice prime ministers, Medvedev said "the situation has stabilized," though he added, "the situation was not easy."

The traffic jam on the snowbound highway stranded motorists for up to 24 hours, the Russian news agency ITAR-Tass reported.

Medvedev ordered the government to consider using the military in future snow emergencies. "We might use divisions of Russia's armed forces," he said. "They have necessary vehicles and equipment, and both Europe and other countries use the option."