Roads hazardous all over state |
| 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. |