Roads hazardous all over state
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January 10, 2013 |
A series of storms in Idaho this week is
creating difficult driving conditions and has
prompted several highway closures or warnings
throughout the state.
The Idaho Transportation Department encourages
motorists to check highway and weather
conditions before traveling on state highways or
interstates. The 511 Traveler Services system,
accessible by phone or the Internet, helps
motorists prepare for changing conditions and
plan accordingly, said Tony Ernest, manager of
the program.
The 511 website,
511.idaho.gov, includes several options for
accessing travel information, including a
full-feature site for high bandwidth users, a
streamlined version for slower Internet
connections, a mobile version for tablets and
smart cell phones and a site tailored to
commercial truckers.
Advisories from the National Weather Service
also are available on the full-feature website
along with access to nearly 100 cameras
statewide to view current conditions.
Motorists also can obtain route-specific
information for the state highway system and
interstates by dialing 5-1-1 toll-free from
within Idaho. Because the 511 system is designed
to improve highway safety, those who use the
phone option are encouraged to call before
getting behind the wheel, pull off the highway
at a safe location or have a passenger place the
call.
Recent improvements to the system enable users
to pre-select highway routes of interest and
receive information directly by e-mail, text
messages, ITD’s Facebook page or Twitter.
“We’re trying to get critical roadway
information to as many people as possible, as
quickly as possible,” Ernest says. “We want to
make it available in a format that is most
useful.”
ITD’s 511 website and telephone system, among
the most advanced in the nation, provide near
real-time information and is updated as
conditions change.
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